FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- The University of Iowa softball team split action on day two of the Wooo Pig Classic at Bogle Park on Friday. Iowa defeated Missouri State, 5-4, before falling to No. 11/12 Arkansas, 12-0 (5 innings) in game two.
Junior Jalen Adams (9-1) made her eighth start of the season against Missouri Sate. Adams threw the complete game and allowed four unearned runs on 12 hits, while fanning eight. Seven Hawkeyes registered at least one hit and four Hawkeyes registered an RBI in the game.
Senior Haley Downe (0-1) got her first start of the season against the Razorbacks, throwing 1 1/3 innings before being relieved by sophomore Andi Jaskowiak for the remaining 2 2/3. Jaskowiak fanned two Arkansas hitters. Junior Echo Mattiello had the lone Iowa hit of the game in the fifth inning.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Game 1
The Hawkeyes were able to load the bases after a walk and two singles in the top of the first but were unable to capitalize early. Adams retired the Bears in order in her first inning of work.
Iowa loaded the bases once again in the second inning after three walks but the Bears got out of the inning with the game scoreless. Missouri States had its first two batter reach on an error and a bunt single in the home half of the inning. The Bears cashed in on a two-out RBI single to take the early lead, 2-0. Adams was able to retire the next batter to limit the damage.
The Hawkeyes loaded the bases for the third straight inning, but once again were not able to plate any runs. Sophomore Jena Young started the fourth inning with a single up middle, and sophomore Soo-Jin Berry followed up with a walk. Iowa got both runners into scoring position with one out. The Hawkeyes got on the board on an RBI ground out from senior Hannah Lindsay.
Redshirt junior Desiree Rivera and sophomore Devin Simon had back-to-back one out singles. Simon was plated on an RBI single from Young to tie the game at two. Junior Avery Jackson gave the Hawkeyes the lead, 3-2, as she came home on a Missouri State throwing error. In the bottom of the inning, Adams retired the Bears in order once again. Both teams managed to runners aboard in the sixth, but Iowa kept its lead in tact heading into the final frame.
Iowa plated two insurance runs in the seventh on RBI singles from Jackson and Berry to extend the lead, 5-2. Missouri State took advantage of Iowa miscues in the bottom of the seventh to get within one. The Bears continued to threaten with runners at first and second with two outs as Adams was able to get the final out of the inning to secure the win.
The Hawkeyes finished the game with five runs on 12 hits and five errors. Missouri State finished the game with four runs, six hits and three errors.
Game 2
Young started the game with a leadoff walk but was quickly erased as Arkansas turned a double play and got out of the inning retiring the first three Hawkeye hitters. Arkansas opened in the scoring with a solo home run in the first inning. The Razorbacks extended their lead to eight in the second inning plating seven runs on five hits including a solo home run and a three-run home run.
Young started the game with a leadoff walk but was quickly erased as Arkansas turned a double play and got out of the inning retiring the first three Hawkeye hitters. Arkansas opened in the scoring with a solo home run in the first inning. The Razorbacks extended their lead to eight in the second inning plating seven runs on five hits including a solo home run and a three-run home run.
The Iowa bats could not get anything going offensively. Young reached on her second walk in the top of the fourth but was erased once again on as the Razorbacks turned their second double play of the game. Arkansas plated four more runs in the fourth on two RBI doubles and an RBI single to push the lead to 12.
In the fifth, Iowa started the inning with walks to Lindsay and Rivera. Junior Echo Mattiello registered the only hit for the Hawkeyes with a single to left field, but Lindsay was throws at at third. The Razorbacks retired the next to Iowa hitters to end the game in run rule fashion.
Iowa finished the game with no runs on one hit and one error, while Arkansas had 12 runs on 10 hits and no errors.
UP NEXT
Iowa (12-5) returns to action Sunday, March 2nd for the final day of the Wooo pIg Classic. Iowa will face Illinois at 10 a.m. (CT) at Bogle Park.