IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa softball program announced Tuesday that it will open the season Feb. 26 in Leesburg, Florida, with doubleheaders against Ohio State, No. 17 Michigan and Michigan State. The Hawkeyes return to Florida on March 11 to play three games apiece against Penn State and Maryland.
The Big Ten Conference released the 2021 softball schedule Tuesday. Iowa will compete in 44 contests, all against Big Ten opponents.
“We are excited for the 2021 season,” said Iowa head coach Renee Gillispie. “Our team came back this January ready to make waves in the Big Ten. We have a lot of new faces that our conference opponents have not seen. This year may look different, but we are still on the same mission to win.”
The schedule includes four home and away series of four games each.
The Hawkeyes host Indiana, Northwestern, Nebraska, and Illinois at Pearl Field. They travel to Purdue, Wisconsin, No. 24 Minnesota and Rutgers.
The Big Ten Championships will not be held this year. Iowa was recently picked to finish fifth in the conference by D1 Softball.
At this time, fans will not be allowed at home games due to COVID-19 Restrictions.
SCHEDULE
*2/26 vs. Ohio State (DH)
*2/27 vs. Michigan (DH)
*2/28 vs. Michigan State (DH)
*3/11 vs. Penn State (DH)
*3/12 vs. Penn State
*3/13 vs. Maryland (DH)
*3/14 vs. Maryland
3/26 @Purdue
3/27 @Purdue (DH)
3/28 @Purdue
4/2 Indiana
4/3 Indiana (DH)
4/4 Indiana
4/9 @Wisconsin
4/10 @Wisconsin (DH)
4/11 @Wisconsin
4/16 Northwestern
4/17 Northwestern (DH)
4/18 Northwestern
4/23 @Minnesota
4/24 @Minnesota (DH)
4/25 @Minnesota
4/30 @Rutgers
5/1 @Rutgers (DH)
5/2 @Rutgers
5/7 Nebraska
5/8 Nebraska (DH)
5/9 Nebraska
5/14 Illinois
5/15 Illinois (DH)
5/16 Illinois
* Sleepy Hallow Sports Complex, Leesburg Florida
