Hawkeyes Fall to Badgers

MADISON, Wis. - The University of Iowa softball team fell to Wisconsin in a doubleheader on Friday afternoon at Goodman Sports Complex. The Hawkeyes fell in game one, 8-7, and in game two, 4-2.

Junior Jalen Adams (15-3) got the start in game one for Iowa. In her 16th start of the season, Adams threw six and a 1/3 inning, fanning four, before freshman Talia Tretton came in to as relief. Seven different Hawkeyes recorded a hit, including three home runs; one from junior Tory Bennett, one from Soo-Jin Berry, and one from redshirt junior Desiree Rivera.

The Hawkeyes went to freshman Talia Tretton (6-5) in game two. Tretton threw three and 2/3 of an inning and fanned two before Adams came in to throw two and 1/3 innings of relief. Four different Hawkeyes recorded at least one hit, with sophomore Jena Young leading the way, going 2-for-3.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Game 1

Wisconsin started the day strong scoring in the first three innings of play. The Badgers got on the board quickly in the first on a two run home run. Wisconsin continued its stride and added another run on an RBI single in the second, 3-0. 

Junior Echo Mattiello singled to right field, but was left stranded at second in the third. Wisconsin further its lead off of a solo home run in the bottom of the inning to make it 4-0.

The Hawkeyes began to fight back in the top of the fourth, with a leadoff home run from Berry, her eighth of the season. Two more Hawkeyes managed to get one base, but were unable to cash in. Adams got her first scoreless frame of the game going three up, three down in the fourth picking up two strikeouts. 

The comeback for the Hawkeyes came in the top of the fifth. Mattiello started the inning with double to left field and senior Tatianna Roman followed with a single to put runners on the corners for Iowa. Young recorded the third straight Hawkeye hit with a single to left and scoring Mattiello to cut the Badger lead in half, 4-2. Bennett then came to the plate and hit a three-run home run to give Iowa the, 5-4, lead. Adams had a shut down inning retiring Wisconsin in order. 

The sixth inning was the first time both teams were held scoreless in the game. Iowa added insurance in the seventh as Rivera launched a two-run home run to push the Hawkeye lead to three, 7-3.

Adams got the first out in the bottom of the seventh but was lifted for Tretton after hitting a batter. Wisconsin's next batter notched an RBI triple to pull within two, 7-5. A Badger home run tied the game at seven. Wisconsin secured the walk off win after an RBI triple brought home the winning run. 

Iowa finished the game with seven runs on nine hits. Wisconsin finished the game with eight run on 11 hits.

Game 2

Young led off game two with a triple to right center but the Hawkeyes were unable to get on the board as she was thrown out at home on the next play. Tretton worked around a leadoff single in the bottom of the inning to keep the game scoreless early. 

In the top of the second inning Simon doubled to left, and a ground out from Mattiello advanced Simon to third where she was left stranded. Wisconsin was first on the board in the bottom half of the inning after a two-run home run.

Iowa answered back in the third. Sophomore Devin Bowman led off the inning with a single and Young followed suit with a double, moving Bowman to third. A sacrifice fly from Bennett scored Bowman and advanced Young to third. An infield single from Berry then scored Young, tying the game, 2-2. Despite runners getting on, Hawkeye defense held Wisconsin scoreless in the home half of the inning.

Wisconsin took the lead, 4-2, in the fourth on an RBI single and an RBI double. The Hawkeyes were retired in order in the final three innings as Wisconsin went on to close out the victory. 

Iowa finished the game with two runs on five hits and one error. Wisconsin finished the game with four runs on seven hits.

NOTABLES

• Bennett's home run in game one was the first of her collegiate career.
• Rivera's home run was her second of the season and her second as a Hawkeye.
• Berry extended her hit streak to 11 games. 

UP NEXT
Iowa (21-11, 3-3) finishes the three-game series against the Badgers in Madison, Wisconsin tomorrow. First pitch at Goodman Sports Complex is scheduled for 12 pm CT and will be streamed on B1G+ ($).