Iowa Drops Series Opener to #20/21 Nebraska

IOWA CITY, Iowa - The University of Iowa softball team fell to No. 20/21 Nebraska on Friday afternoon in game one of the three-game series at Bob Pearl Field. The Hawkeyes fell to the Cornhuskers, 12-0, in 5 innings.

Junior Jalen Adams (15-5) got the start in the circle for Iowa. In her 18th start of the season, Adams threw one and a 1/3 inning, fanning one and walking six. Senior Haley Downe and sophomore Jaylee Ojo worked in relief going two and 2/3 innings walking four combined and hitting two. Redshirt junior Desiree Rivera went 2-for-2 at the plate picking up two of the three Hawkeye hits.

After the first Cornhusker of the game was walked, Adams retired the next three Huskers in order. Junior Tory Bennett and Rivera recorded a single and a double, respectively, in the home half of the inning but were left stranded in scoring position as the inning came to a close.

Nebraska broke open the scoring in the top of the second inning, scoring six runs on three hits and five walks. The Cornhuskers got on the board first on a bases loaded single, 1-0. Nebraska blew it open with a grand slam to extend their lead to five and then an RBI double pushed the lead, 6-0. Junior Avery Jackson and senior Tatianna Roman reached on back-to-back walks, but were left stranded to close the second inning.

Nebraska continued to build on their lead in the third plating three runs on two hits and two free passes extending its lead, 9-0. Iowa managed to get runners on once again in the bottom of the third, but were unable to get on the board. The Cornhuskers kept pouring it on in the fourth plating two on an RBI double, 11-0. In the fifth, the Cornhuskers loaded the bases on free passes and scored their final run on a wild pitch,12-0. The Hawkeyes were retired in order in the final two frames to end the game. 

Iowa finished the game with no runs on three hits and no errors. Nebraska finished the game with 12 runs on seven hits and no error.

UP NEXT
Iowa (21-13, 3-5) hosts Nebraska tomorrow for game two of the three-game series. First pitch at Bob Pearl Field on Saturday is scheduled for 2 pm CT and will be streamed on B1G+ ($). Tickets for adults are available for $7, and youth 18 and under are free.