2022 Softball Final Notes

THIS SEASON

The University of Iowa softball team played 52 games, finishing 21-31. At the plate, junior Nia Carter was second in the conference in batting average, (.405), and hits (66). Sophomore Denali Loecker led the Hawkeyes in home runs (10) and RBI (31).

NFCA ALL-REGION

Junior outfielder Nia Carter was named first team All-Region Carter is the first Hawkeye to receive NFCA first team All-Region honors since Megan Blank in 2015.

JOINING THE RECORD BOOKS

Nia Carter ranked second in the Big Ten in batting average (.405) and hits (66).

Her .405 average places Carter seventh in school history for single season batting average.

Carter is currently fourth at Iowa for career batting average (.378), only behind Megan Blank (12-15, .410), Lea Twigg (96-97, .409), and Kari Knopf (94-97, .380).

MONSTER TRUCK MASHING

Sophomore Denali Loecker was 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 most career home runs (14).    

A GOOD SPORT

Senior outfielder Kate Claypool was awarded the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award.

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.

ACADEMIC ALL-BIG TEN

11 Hawkeyes were awarded academic All-Big Ten. Carter, Claypool, and Riley Sheehy were also recipients in the 2021 season. First-time recipients included Banes, Burns, Amber DeSena, Sammy Diaz, Brylee Klosterman, Denali Loecker, Marisa Peek, and Sheehy.

SUCCESS ON AND OFF THE FIELD

Three Hawkeyes were named to both the fall and spring dean’s list; Burns, Klosterman, and Sheehy.

The fall dean’s list included Haley Downe, Anna Henderson, Emma Henderson, and Rylie Moss.

The spring dean’s list included Tristin Doster and Zoe Schulte.

BATTING 1.000

The Hawkeyes posted a perfect 1,000 on the NCAA Academic Progress Rate Score.

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).

HITTING #900

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 faced 11 different teams that made the NCAA Tournament in 2022; Liberty, Minnesota, Notre Dame, South Dakota State, Kentucky, Oregon State, Wichita State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Illinois and 2022 National Champion Oklahoma.

TGIF

In the 17 games that the Hawkeyes played on a Friday this season, the team was 9-8.  

EVERYDAY STARTER

Carter was the lone player to start every single game for the Hawkeyes this season. Klosterman saw action in all 52 games starting 51 of those contests.

HOME SWEET HOME

Iowa is 433-227-1 all-time at Pearl Field.

ROSTER BREAKDOWN

Seven Hawkeyes hailed from Iowa, seven from California, three from Indiana, two from Missouri, and one from Kansas, Pennsylvania and Nebraska.

The roster was comprised of nine freshmen, seven sophomores, three juniors and three seniors. There were 11 returning letterwinners and 11 newcomers.

RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

Iowa had a 17-3 record when tallying more hits than its opponents. The Hawkeyes were 14-1 when holding their opponent to two runs or less. Iowa was 17-5 when not allowing a home run.

TAKE A LEAD AND KEEP IT

The Hawkeyes had a 18-8 record when they scored first. Iowa was 17-2 when leading after the fourth inning.

IOWA CAREER BATTING AVERAGE 

IOWA SINGLE SEASON HOME RUNS

IOWA CAREER HOME RUNS