Iowa Sweeps Maryland

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Iowa softball team defeated Maryland in game three of their series on Sunday afternoon at the Maryland Softball Stadium. The Hawkeyes beat the Terrapins, 7-2, sweeping the series.

Junior Jalen Adams (18-5) picked up her 23rd start of the season in the finale. Adams threw her 14th complete game of the season, fanning four and walking two. Six of Iowa's seven hits went for extra bases. Sophomore Soo-Jin Berry continued to swing a hot bat going 3-for-4 with a two-run home run.  

Both pitchers had strong starts to the game working around a few baserunners but managed to keep the game scoreless. 

Junior Avery Jackson started the third inning for the Hawkeyes with a double to right center, and with heads up base running was able to score from second on a sacrifice fly off the bat of sophomore Jena Young to give Iowa the early lead, 1-0. The Terrapins had two, two-out singles in the inning, but Adams picked up a strikeout to end the threat.

The Hawkeyes plated another run in the fourth on a sac fly from Tory Bennett to extend the lead to two. Two Terrapins got two runners into scoring position in the bottom of the inning, but Adams held strong standing both of them as the inning came to a close. 

Iowa plated a run for the third straight inning in the fifth as Jackson came around on an RBI bunt from Young to make it 3-0.  A solo home run for the Terrapins got Maryland on the board in the bottom half, 3-1.

The Hawkeyes added to their lead in the sixth with Talia Tretton crossing home on a wild pitch and freshman Allyssa Ramos delivered with an RBI single pushing the Iowa lead, 5-1.The Terrapins continued their fight back, scoring one on an RBI single, cutting the lead to three. 

Berry added to the Iowa lead, 7-2, with a two run home run in the top of the seventh. Adams continued to throw strong, closing out the game in the bottom of the seventh securing the series sweep. 

Iowa finished the game with seven runs on nine hits. Maryland had two runs on eight hits and one error.

"Winning all three in a series is difficult. It requires consistency and focus, and those were things we challenged ourselves to do this weekend. I'm hoping this is something we can use to drive us in the back end of Big Ten play."

Iowa (25-15, 7-6) travels to Ames for a midweek match up on Tuesday against Iowa State for game one of the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series. First pitch at the Cyclone Sports Complex is scheduled for 4 pm CT and will be streamed on ESPN+ ($).