MIAMI, Florida -- The University of Iowa softball team went, 2-0, on day one of the FIU Panther Invitational at Felsburg Field on Friday afternoon. Iowa defeated Lafayette College, 2-0, and Florida International University (FIU), 4-1.
Freshman Talia Tretton (3-0) got the start against the Leopards throwing all seven innings allowing no runs on three hits and fanned four. Sophomore Jena Young went 1-for-2, and junior Tory Bennett had the teams lone RBI.
Junior Jalen Adams (5-1) picked up her fifth start of the season and threw her fourth complete game. Adams only allowed one run on on five hits. Six Hawkeyes registered one hit. Roman and Bennett tallied one RBI a piece.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Game 1
Tretton got the start in the circle, with the wind behind her blowing in towards home plate.
The Hawkeyes were able to get runners on in each of the first four innings, but got nothing on the board until the fifth inning. The Leopards also had runners on base, but were kept off the board for the entirety of the game, stranding four.
In the bottom of the fifth sophomore Devin Simon reached first on an error, followed by Young being hit by a pitch. A clutch squeeze bunt from Bennett scored Simon. Bennett advanced to second on an error, and a fielder's choice by the catcher resulted in Young scoring. Iowa ended the inning with two runs.
Both teams managed to get runners on in the sixth and seventh innings, but the score would remain 2-0 till the end.
Iowa finished the game with two runs on two hits. Lafayette finished the game with no runs, three hits, and two errors.
Game 2
The Panthers came out swinging, scoring their first and only run in the first inning after advancing on a Hawkeye error.
Iowa managed to get runners on in the second inning, but were unable to plate a run. The in the bottom half, it was three up, three down for Adams against the Panther batters.
Iowa pulled away in the third inning, tallying four runs. Simon started the inning singling to shortstop and stealing second followed by a walked Young. Bennett delivered her second squeeze bunt of the day, reaching on a fielder's choice and advancing to second on the throw, scoring Simon and advancing Young to third. Young scored on a fielding error by FIU's catcher. Lindsay was then walked, Lindsay was then hit by a pitch, loading the bases. Rivera came to the plate and reached on a fielders choice, advancing Lindsay to second and then advancing her to third on an error, moving Bennett across the plate on the error as well.
Three of the four remaining innings were three up and three down for Panther batters against Adams. Iowa was able to get at least one runner on in the remaining innings, but did not add to their lead after the third.
Iowa finished the game with four runs on six hits and three errors while FIU had one run on three hits and one error.
HEAR FROM INTERIM HEAD COACH BRIAN LEVIN
"We didn't play our best games today, but did what we needed. Our hit and run totals weren't indicative of the number of balls we hit well. I thought our contact was pretty good today, just hit in a little bad luck. Pitchers were decent, they didn't have their best stuff, but found a way to get outs. Looking forward to tomorrow."
NOTABLES
- Iowa has four shutout wins so far this season.
- Iowa is 7-0 when scoring at least four runs
UP NEXT
Iowa (8-3) returns to action tomorrow for the final day of the Panther Invitational. Iowa will face FIU at 11:30 a.m. (CT) and Lafayette at 2 p.m. (CT). Streaming information can be found on hawkeyesports.com.