UP NEXT
The University of Iowa softball team travels to Raleigh, N.C., for the ACC/B1G Challenge. The Hawkeyes open with a matchup against host, NC State, on Friday. On Saturday they play a doubleheader facing Syracuse in the morning, followed by a rematch with NC State. The Hawkeyes close out the weekend on Sunday facing off with Syracuse for the second time.
WATCH/FOLLOW LIVE
The two games versus host, NC State, will be streamed on ACCNX (subscription required). Fans can follow along for live updates via Twitter @IowaSoftball.
ROSTER BREAKDOWN
Twelve Hawkeyes hail from Iowa, eight from California, two from Indiana, and one from Arizona, Florida, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. The roster is comprised of 10 freshmen, eight sophomores, six juniors, and three seniors. There are 15 returning letterwinners and 12 newcomers.
TRANSFERRING IN
The Hawkeyes added two transfers for the 2023 season. Junior RHP Maren Judisch comes to the Hawkeyes from Baylor. Judisch appeared in 34 games with six starts over two seasons for the Bears. Judisch has a career 2.08 ERA and 5-2 record in 74 innings pitched. Sophomore Tatianna Roman transferred in from Alabama A&M. She was the only Bulldog to start all 40 games in 2022. She led the team in hits (41) and total bases (51). Roman ranked third on the team with a .308 batting average.
LAST TIME OUT
The Hawkeyes opened the season 4-1 at the FAU Paradise Classic. They had wins over Loyola, Bethune-Cookman, Stony Brook, and No. 23 Mississippi St. Over five games, the pitching staff finished with a 0.61 ERA allowing just three earned runs in 34.1 innings. They held opponents to a .164 BAA. Offensively, Iowa hit .333 as a team and scored 21 runs. They were led by freshman Echo Mattiello (.545) and Tory Bennett (.471). Eight Hawkeyes started all five games with six of them hitting over .300 on the weekend.
SCOUTING NC STATE
Head Coach, Jennifer Patrick Swift is in her fifth season leading the Wolfpack. They opened the season at the Candrea Classic in Arizona and went 0-5 on the weekend. Offensively they were led by MaKayla Marbury who hit .364 with a SLG% of .727. As a team they hit .178 scoring 14 runs. The Wolfpack pitching staff finished with a 13.56 ERA over 26.1 innings.
SCOUTING SYRACUSE
Fifth year head coach Shannon Doepking led the Orange to a 2-1 record in the opening weekend. In three games, Syracuse had four hitters finish hitting over .300, led by Madison Knight (.444). The team had a an OBP of .396 after registering 18 walks. Knight also had the most innings in the circle, 10.2, with a 2.62 ERA. As a staff they struck out 16 batters in 20.1 innings and had a 2.41 ERA.