Hawkeyes Defeat Hoosiers

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The University of Iowa softball team defeated Indiana, 7-6, on Saturday at Andy Mohr Field. The game began at noon and concluded at 9:20 p.m. after numerous rain delays and a suspension of play. 

Junior Jalen Adams (13-2) got the start in the Big Ten opener for Iowa. Adams pitched 4 and 2/3 innings before freshman Talia Tretton came in for 2 and 1/3 innings of relief. Sophomore Jena Young led the way with one home run, one triple, four runs, four hits, and three RBIs. Seven different Hawkeyes recorded a hit, and sophomore Soo-Jin Berry recorded her fifth home run of the season.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Hawkeyes got on the board early. Young started the game off with a single to short, followed by Bennett hitting a double off the wall, scoring Young. The Hawkeyes managed to load the bases once more, but left the three runners on. Adams started the bottom of the first on the mound, retiring the Hoosiers in order. 

Sophomore Devin Simon singled to right to start off the second inning. Simon advanced to second on a wild pitch, followed by senior Tatianna Roman walking, putting runners on first and second. Young then hit her first home run of the season out to right field, scoring Roman and Simon. Berry immediately followed with a home run out to left, putting the Hawkeyes on top, 5-0. Indiana managed to get two runners on, but was held off the board by Iowa.

Lindsay hit a double to deep left in the top of the third, followed by a walk for Simon. Both Hawkeyes were left on.

In the Bottom of the fourth the Hoosiers fought back. A single to short resulted in a runner on first, and two back-to-back walks loaded the bases. The next batter delivered a bases clearing double, before the Hawkeyes ended the inning. Iowa still held the lead, 5-3.

Both squads plated one in the fourth. Young started with a single to short, and a sacrifice bunt from Bennett moved Young to second. Redshirt junior Desiree Rivera singled to left and scored Young. Iowa left two runners on. The Hoosiers managed to score after a double to left scored the lone runner who had previously been walked.

Iowa started the fifth inning retiring the Hoosiers in order. Indiana managed to get two runners on but was held scoreless.

Young started the sixth inning with a triple to center field. A ground out from Berry scored Young. Indiana answered back with a double and a home run, adding two to their score. Iowa managed to end the inning with three strikeouts. 

Both teams were held scoreless in the seventh.

Iowa finished with seven runs on eleven hits. Indiana finished the game with six runs on ten hits.

HEAR FROM ACTING HEAD COACH KARL GOLLAN

"It wasn't the cleanest game but we continued to answer every time Indiana punched back which was nice to see. You always want to create opportunities to close out games, and ultimately when it counted we did what was needed to get it done."

NOTABLES

• This was Iowa's second year in a row winning its Big Ten opener.
• The last time Iowa won at Indiana was April 27, 2014, 3-2.

UP NEXT
Iowa faces Indiana in Bloomington tomorrow, for its final game of the series. First pitch at Andy Mohr Field is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT and will be streamed on B1G+ ($).