Notes: vs. Iowa State / vs. UNI

THIS WEEK

The University of Iowa softball team hosts Iowa State on Tuesday for game two of the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series and UNI on Wednesday. First pitch for both games is set for 5:30pm CT at Bob Pearl Field.

WATCH/FOLLOW LIVE

Iowa’s games against Iowa State and UNI will be on B1G+ ($). Fans can follow along for live updates via X, @IowaSoftball. Both games will be available on Hawkeye Radio Network.

CONNECT WITH THE HAWKEYES

For  all of the latest news and information on Iowa softball, visit hawkeyesports.com. Fans can also follow the program at Facebook.com/iowahawkeyessoftball and @iowasoftball on X and Instagram.

LAST TIME OUT

The University of Iowa softball team won their series against Michigan State, 2-1, this past weekend in East Lansing.

The Hawkeyes won on Friday afternoon at Secchia Stadium, 3-1, in the opening game of the three-game series. Junior Jalen Adams (21-5) got the start and threw her 16th complete game of the season allowing one run on six hits and struck out four. Five different Hawkeyes recorded a hit with senior Hannah Lindsay leading the way going 2-for-3 with a two-run home run.

Iowa fell to Michigan State on Saturday, 4-2, in game two of the three-game series on a walk off three-run home run. Freshman Talia Tretton (9-9) got the start in the circle and threw six and 2/3 innings. Adams entered in relief in the seventh. Lindsay was the only Hawkeye to have a multi hit game. Tretton went 1-for-2 with an RBI.

Iowa defeated the Spartans on Sunday, 6-4, clinching the series. Adams (22-5) got the start in the circle and threw her 17th complete game of the season. Junior Tory Bennett recorded the only multi-hit game for Iowa going 2-for-3. Sophomore Jena Young and Tretton each recorded a home run.

IOWA CORN CY-HAWK SERIES

The Cy-Hawk Series is in its 20th season in 2024-25 and is sponsored for the 13th time by Iowa Corn.

The series awards two points (except football, which is worth three) to the winning school in each head-to-head match-up between the two institutions. This season, softball moved to a two-game series with each game being worth one point. Additionally, one point is awarded to an institution if the graduation rate of its student-athletes is greater than the national average as reported each fall by the NCAA.

Iowa won the 2023-24 series, 15-8, and the all-time series is now 9-9-1. Iowa State has clinched the 2024-25 title as they lead the series 14-10 entering Tuesday's game.

SCOUTING THE CYCLONES

Head Coach Jamie Pinkerton enters his 7th year at the helm of Iowa State. Iowa State faces Iowa coming off a series win at Utah. Iowa State defeated Iowa earlier this month, on April 15th, 9-5, in Ames. Iowa State is currently third in the Big 12. Freshman Jessie Clemons leads the Cyclones in batting average (.389). Sophomore RHP Lauren Schurmen leads the way in the circle with 123.1 innings pitched, a 3.41 ERA, and a 13-9 record.

SCOUTING THE PANTHERS

Ryan Jacobs enters his 18th season at the helm of the Panthers. Northern Iowa enters the contest coming off a series win, 2-1, at Illinois State. UNI is in third place in the Missouri Valley conference. Junior infielder Kate Lappe leads the team in batting (.431). Redshirt Junior Anna Wischnowski leads the way in the circle with 129.2 innings, a 2.59 ERA, and a 15-6 record.

2025 QUICK FACTS

• 22 wins for Adams is the most for an Iowa pitcher since 2009 (Brittany Weil, 26)
• Iowa has 12 Big Ten wins this season, the most since 2012 (16)*
• Iowa has won three straight Big Ten series, the longest streak since 2012 (5)*
• Four Big Ten series wins is the most in a season since 2012 (6)*

* Excluding the 2021 COVID bubble season

IN THE B1G LEAGUES

• Redshirt junior catcher Desiree Rivera leads the conference and is ranked 28th nationally in runners caught stealing with 12 runners caught.
• Junior centerfielder Tory Bennett leads the Big Ten in sacrifice bunts per game (.27) and is ranked 13th nationally.
• Junior RHP Jalen Adams is second in the Big Ten and third nationally in wins (22). Adams is first in the conference in innings pitched (173.1), and seventh nationally.
• Sophomore infielder Jena Young leads the Big Ten in triples (5) and ranks 24th nationally.

SOOJ THE STAR

Sophomore infielder Soo-Jin Berry was named one of Softball America's Stars of the Week of 3/24 after her standout game in Iowa's upset against then No. 5/6 UCLA. Berry hit two home runs in the game, the first muti-home run game of her career.

LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

The Hawkeyes have a team voted group of captains, called the Leadership Council. The select for the 2025 season include senior Tatianna Roman, Junior Jalen Adams, senior Rylie Moss, and redshirt junior Desiree Rivera.

STATISTICAL LEADERS

• Sophomore infielder Jena Young leads the team in hitting (.359).
• Outfielders Tory Bennett and Tatianna Roman each have a perfect fielding percentage. Roman has contributed 43 putouts and Bennett has contributed 75 on the year.
• Jalen Adams leads the pitchers with 173.1 innings pitched and 118 strikeouts.

STARTING STREAKS

Two Hawkeyes have started all 48 games so far this season; Jena Young in the middle infield, and Tory Bennett in center field.

UP NEXT

Iowa welcomes Rutgers to Bob Pearl Field for a three-game series to close out the regular season. Friday and Saturday's first pitch is set for 5pm CT and Sunday's first pitch is set for Noon CT. All three games will be streamed on B1G+ and broadcast on the Hawkeye Radio Network.