Hawkeyes Sweep Weekend in Day 2 of Panther Invitational

MIAMI -- The University of Iowa softball team went 2-0 on day two of the FIU Panther Invitational at Felsburg Field on Saturday afternoon. Iowa defeated Florida International University (FIU), 6-3, and Lafayette College, 8-4.

Freshman Talia Tretton (3-0) got the start against the Panthers, throwing 2 1/3 innings before being relieved by junior Jalen Adams, who pitched the remaining 4 2/3. Sophomore Soo-Jin Berry and Tretton each went 2-for-4, with Tretton registering three RBIs. Freshman Allyssa Ramos drilled her first career home run over the left field wall and tallied two RBIs.

Junior Jalen Adams (7-1) made her sixth start of the season against Lafayette College. Adams allowed four runs on seven hits, while fanning two. Adams threw 6 1/3 innings before senior Haley Downe came in to record the final two outs. Downe allowed two hits and no runs. Seven Hawkeyes registered at least one hit. Tretton tallied the first home run of her career, while driving in two runs.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Game 1
Tretton got the start in the circle for the Hawkeyes, throwing 2 1/3 innings before being relieved by Adams who threw the remainder of the game.

Iowa scored six runs in the top of the first inning. Sophomore Jena Young doubled to left field, before Berry picked up a single. Junior Tory Bennett was then hit by a pitch, loading the bases for Iowa. Senior Tatianna Roman was walked, bringing in Jena for the Hawkeyes first run. Tretton then hit a deep triple to left field and plated Berry, Bennett and Roman. Freshman Allyssa Ramos then came to bat, hitting her first career home run to left field and plating her and Tretton who was on third. 

The Panthers answered back with two runs in the bottom of the first inning. A single and a Hawkeye error plated the first run for FIU, before an RBI single to left field scored the second run. FIU plated one more runner in the third inning on a bases-loaded walk.

Innings three through seven were scoreless for both teams. Iowa had runners on base in all innings except one. 

The Hawkeyes finished the game with six runs on seven hits and four errors. FIU finished the game with three runs, eight hits and one error.

Game 2
Adams got the start for Iowa and pitched over 6 1/3 innings, before Downe came in relief.

Iowa was able to get runners on in the first two innings, but didn't capitalize until the fourth inning. The Leopards were held scoreless through the first two innings as well.

Simon was the first Hawkeye on base in the third inning after being hit by a pitch. Bennett hit a deep single to center, placing her on first and moving Simon to third. A wild pitch from the Leopards allowed Simon to score, and moved Bennett to third. A dropped third strike during senior Hannah Lindsay's at-bat scored Bennett and put Lindsay on first. Tretton then came to the plate and notched the first home run of her career. Iowa scored four runs in the third inning.

Lafayette attempted to answer, with a deep single to left field that plated a previously walked batter. A strikeout, ground out and fly out ended the inning.

Both teams were able to get runners on in the fourth, but no runs were added.

The Hawkeyes plated one in the fifth inning. Bennett was walked, followed by a single from Tretton to left field, advancing Bennett to second. Redshirt junior Desiree Rivera singled to right field, and advanced to second on the throw. Tretton moved to second and advanced to third on a muffed throw by Lafayette's catcher, which scored Bennett. 

Iowa added three runs in the sixth. Simon was walked, but was out on the next play when Young reached on a fielders choice. Berry came to the plate and doubled, moving Young to third. Bennett came to bat and reached on a fielders choice but then advanced to second on the throw, advancing Berry to third and scoring Young. Lindsay then singled at the plate, moving up to second on the throw, scoring both Bennett and Berry.

Lafayette was held scoreless in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings. The Leopards scored three runs in the seventh.

Iowa finished the game with eight runs on nine hits and one error, while Lafayette had four runs on nine hits and one error.

NOTABLES

• Iowa had two freshmen record their first career home runs with the Hawkeyes: Ramos and Tretton.
• The Hawkeyes have swept two weekends in a row; tallying four wins at each tournament.
• The last time Iowa posted eight straight wins was 2019, where they won nine in a row.

UP NEXT
Iowa (10-3) returns to action Friday, February 28th, as they head to Fayetteville, Arkansas, to compete in the 2025 Wooo Pig Classic. Iowa will face Missouri State at 10 a.m. and Arkansas at 3 p.m. Tournament information can be found on hawkeyesports.com.