THIS WEEK
The University of Iowa travels to Cedar Falls, Iowa, on Wednesday to face the University of Northern Iowa at 5 p.m (CT) at the Robinson-Dresser Sports Complex. The Hawkeyes then come home for a three-game series with Purdue. First pitch for Friday is set for at 5 p.m., Saturday’s game is scheduled for 2 p.m. and Sunday’s finale is slated to start at noon. Jerry Kiwala will have the call for the Hawkeye Radio Network, which can be heard on YouTube.
| UNI’s Record | 29-11 |
| Series History | Iowa leads, 31-18 |
| First Meeting | 1978, Iowa, 5-1 |
| Last Meeting | 4/30/19, UNI, 4-2 |
| Head Coach | Ryan Jacobs (15th Year) |
| Purdue’s Record | 22-29 |
| Series History | Iowa leads, 48-19 |
| First Meeting | 4/1/95, Iowa, 4-3 |
| Last Meeting | 2/28/21, Iowa, 8-3 |
| Head Coach | Boo De Oliveria (7th year) |
WATCH/LISTEN/FOLLOW LIVE
The matchup with Northern Iowa will be streamed on ESPN+. All three games with Purdue will also be streamed via B1G+. The radio broadcast can be heard on the Hawkeye Radio Network. Fans can follow along for live updates via Twitter @IowaSoftball.
SENIOR DAY
The Hawkeyes will recognize six seniors on Sunday afternoon following the contest with Purdue. The list includes four-student managers and two student-athletes.
Kate Claypool, Des Moines, Iowa
Riley Sheehy, Newtown, Penn.
HERkys’ HAWK WALK
The University of Iowa Athletics Department will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Title IX, hosting HERkys’ Hawk Walk on Saturday, May 7, at Francis X. Cretzmeyer Track.
The event will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Title IX and all those who have been committed to providing equitable access to sports for girls and women. The 50-minute walk will be accompanied by activities that educate and celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Title IX.
Registration is $50 for adults, $25 for students (college and high school), and $500 for teams (max of 15). Youth ages 12 and under are free.
Fans attending the walk receive a free ticket to the softball game. Parking is expected to be limited so fans are encouraged to arrive early. Overflow parking will be available if the softball lot fills.
MONSTER TRUCK MASHING
Sophomore Denali Loecker is just the fourth underclassman at Iowa to hit at least 10 home runs in a single season. She is tied for fourth most in a single season, and is tied for 18th in career home runs (14).
BURNING UP
Junior Kalena Burns hit two home runs in Iowa’s win over Minnesota (4/8). It was her first career multi-home run game.
FIVE-FOR-FIVE
Nia Carter tied a school record with five hits against Houston (3/18). She went 5-for-5 on the day to match Christy Herbert (1995), Brandi Macias (1996), and Liz Watkins (2012).
B1G KID STATS
Nia Carter ranks eighth in the Big Ten in batting average (.385). She ranks seventh in hits (57).
SCOUTING UNI
Ryan Jacobs enters his 15th season at the helm of the Panthers’ softball program. UNI is currently 20-1 in the Missouri Valley Conference. Earlier this season the Panthers defeated fellow Big Ten competitors Nebraska, 2-1, and lost twice to Minnesota, 5-4 and 3-0. UNI currently leads the MVC in doubles per game (1.40), ERA (2.36), and home runs per game (1.52).
PANTHER LEADERS
AVG – Mya Dodge (.378)
H – Mya Dodge (51)
HR – Emmy Wells (16)
RBI – Emmy Wells (46)
SB – Mya Dodge (18)
ERA – Kailyn Packard (1.57)
W – Kailyn Packard (18)
SCOUTING PURDUE
Boo De Oliveria is in her seventh season leading the Boilermakers. Purdue is currently 5-14 in the Big Ten Conference. Senior infielder Rachel Becker leads the Big Ten in batting average (.421).
BOILERMAKER LEADERS
AVG – Rachel Becker (.421)
H – Rachel Becker (59)
HR – Alex Echazarreta (7)
RBI – Alex Echazarreta (31)
SB – Kiara Dillon (7)
ERA – Alex Echazarreta (3.73)
W – Alex Echazarreta (9)
HITTING #9000
Head coach Renee Gillispie won her 900th career game on Feb. 27 against Cornell. Gillispie ranks 19th among active coaches in Division I and 38th all-time in total wins (910).
PLAYING THE BEST
The Hawkeyes face 10 different teams that made the NCAA Tournament in 2021; Eastern Kentucky, Liberty, Kentucky, South Dakota State, Wichita State, defending national champion Oklahoma, Minnesota, Iowa State, Northwestern, and Northern Iowa.
TGIF
In the 11 games that the Hawkeyes have played on a Friday this season, the team is 9-7.
RECIPE FOR SUCCESS
Iowa has a 15-2 record when tallying more hits than its opponents. The Hawkeyes are 13-1 when holding their opponent to two runs or less. Iowa is 16-4 when not allowing a home run.
TAKE A LEAD AND KEEP IT
The Hawkeyes have a 16-8 record when they score first. Iowa is 15-2 when leading after the fourth inning.
EVERYDAY STARTER
The Hawkeyes return three players who started every game a season ago. Grace Banes, Nia Carter, and Riley Sheehy started all 44 games in 2021.
Carter and Brylee Klosterman have started every game for the Hawkeyes this season.
HOME SWEET HOME
Iowa is 433-227-1 all-time at Pearl Field.
ROSTER BREAKDOWN
Seven Hawkeyes hail from Iowa, seven from California, three from Indiana, two from Missouri, and one from Kansas, Pennsylvania and Nebraska. The roster is comprised of nine freshmen, seven sophomores, three juniors and three seniors. There are 11 returning letterwinners and 11 newcomers.