All Sports Schedule
Softball
Loading
Loading
Hawkeyes Top Illini in Wooo Pig Classic FinaleHawkeyes Top Illini in Wooo Pig Classic Finale
Softball

Hawkeyes Top Illini in Wooo Pig Classic Finale

The University of Iowa softball defeated Illinois, 3-1, in the non-conference match up to close out the Wooo Pig Classic on Sunday afternoon at Bogle Park.

by Claire Kelly
Box Score
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- The University of Iowa softball defeated Illinois, 3-1, in the non-conference match up to close out the Wooo Pig Classic on Sunday afternoon at Bogle Park. 
Junior Jalen Adams (10-1) made her ninth start of the season against Illinois picking up her seventh complete game of 2025. Adams allowed one run on three hits, while fanning 10, tying her career-high. Six different Hawkeyes recorded a hit in the game. Sophomore Jena Young led the way going 2-for-4 with two RBIs. 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Adams came out firing retiring the Illini in order to start the game, picking up two strikeouts. Iowa managed to get runners on the the first two innings but were unable to get on the board as the game remained scoreless through two innings of play.
Illinois got on the board, 1-0, with a leadoff home run in the top of the third. Adams limited the damage striking out the next three Illinois hitters. Iowa threatened in the bottom of the inning as Young hit a one-out double to left center. Junior Tory Bennett followed that up with a single through the left side, but the Illini defense held strong throwing out Young at home to keep the game at 1-0 heading into the fourth inning of play. 
The Hawkeyes got things going in the bottom of the fourth as senior Hannah Lindsay and freshman Allyssa Ramos both reached base to start the inning. Both runners moved into scoring position after a sacrifice bunt by redshirt junior Desiree Rivera. After a runner was thrown out at home, Iowa loaded the bases with two outs. Senior Tatianna Roman drew a bases loaded walk to tie the game at one. Young cashed in for the Hawkeyes with an single up the middle to plate two and give Iowa the lead, 3-1. 
Adams kept things rolling in the circle, retiring Illinois in order in the fifth. Lindsay had a one out double in the bottom of the fifth but Iowa was not able to bring her around. Adams worked around traffic on the base path in the sixth to keep the Hawkeye lead at two. The Iowa lead remained, 3-1, heading into the final inning. Adams worked around a two-out triple for the Illini in the seventh to close out the win for the Hawkeyes. 
The Hawkeyes finished the game with three runs on nine hits and two errors. Illinois finished the game with one run on three hits. 
NOTABLES
  • Iowa finished the weekend 3-2.
  • This non-conference meeting is the only match up between Iowa and Illinois this season.
  • Iowa has won the last three match ups against Illinois. 
  • Adams has 44 strikeouts on the season, just six off from her 2024 season total (50).

UP NEXT
Iowa (13-5) returns to action Friday, March 7th at the Alabama Spring Break Showdown in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Iowa will face Louisiana Lafayette at 2 p.m. (CT) and Alabama at 6 p.m. CT at Rhoads Stadium.