Notes: Big Ten Tournament

THIS WEEK
The No. 6 seed University of Iowa softball team travels to West Lafayette, Indiana to take on No. 11 seed Penn State in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament hosted by Purdue. First pitch at Bittinger Stadium is set for 10am CT.

WATCH AND FOLLOW LIVE
Iowa’s games in the Big Ten Tournament will be broadcasted on Big Ten Network. Fans can follow along for live updates via X, @IowaSoftball.

LAST TIME OUT
Iowa softball swept Rutgers, 3-0, this past weekend to close out regular season conference play.

In game one, junior Jalen Adams (24-5) got the start in the circle for the Hawkeyes. Throwing her 19th complete game of the season, Adams allowed three runs on seven hits and struck out one Scarlet Knight. Sophomore Jena Young led the way for Iowa, going 2-for-3 with two doubles. Sophomore Devin Simon hit her third home run of the season and had three RBIs on the day.

In game two, freshman Talia Tretton (10-9) got the start in the circle for the Hawkeyes. Throwing her eighth complete game of the season, Tretton allowed no runs on four hits and struck out eight Scarlet Knights. Sophomore Jena Young led the way for Iowa going 1-for-1 with two walks and two runs scored.

In game three, junior Jalen Adams (25-5) got the start and threw her 20th complete game of the season allowing no runs on three hits and struck out two. Sophomore Soo-Jin Berry led the way for Iowa, delivering the big hit for the Hawkeyes - a two RBI double in the third inning.

SCOUTING THE NITTANY LIONS
Head Coach Clarisa Crowell is in her 5th year at the helm of Penn State. The Nittany Lions come off a 2-1 series loss against Washington. Sophomore infielder Brooke Klosowicz leads the Nittany Lions in batting average (.426). She leads the conference in doubles and is second nationally with 22. Senior pitcher Mady Volpe leads in the circle with a 9-15 record, a 4.62 ERA, and 124.1 innings pitched. She is first in the conference and second nationally in pitching appearances with 46.

The Hawkeyes faced Penn State in a three-game series earlier this season in Iowa City. Iowa swpet the series.

2025 QUICK FACTS

• 25 wins for Adams is the most for an Iowa pitcher since 2009 (Brittany Weil, 26)
• Adams is tied for 11th all-time with 45 career wins at Iowa, and is 12th all time with 75 career complete games
• Iowa has 15 Big Ten wins this season, the most since 2012 (16)*
• Iowa has won four straight Big Ten series, the longest streak since 2012 (5)*
• Five 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 is tied for first in the conference and is ranked 24th nationally in runners caught stealing with 14 runners caught.
• Junior centerfielder Tory Bennett leads the Big Ten in sacrifice bunts per game (.33) and is ranked 5th nationally.
• Junior RHP Jalen Adams is first in the conference and sixth nationally in complete games (20). Adams is second in the Big Ten and second nationally in wins (25). Adams is first in the conference in innings pitched (194.1), and seventh nationally.
• Sophomore infielder Jena Young is third the Big Ten in triples (5) and ranks 29th 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.

IN THE RECORD BOOKS

• Berry is tied for 10th for home runs in a single season at Iowa with nine
• Allyssa Ramos ranks third at Iowa in a season with 14 hit by pitches
• Young is tied for 14th at Iowa in a season with 43 runs scored this year

STATISTICAL LEADERS

• Sophomore infielder Jena Young leads the team in hitting (.366).
• Outfielders Tory Bennett and Tatianna Roman each have a perfect fielding percentage. Roman has contributed 45 putouts and Bennett has contributed 84 on the year.
• Jalen Adams leads the pitchers with 194.1 innings pitched and 128 strikeouts.

STARTING STREAKS
Two Hawkeyes have started all 52 games so far this season; Jena Young in the middle infield, and Tory Bennett in center field.

UP NEXT
Iowa is in West Lafayette, Indiana for the Big Ten Tournament May 7-10 hosted by Purdue. The winner of Iowa vs. Penn State will face No. 3 seed Nebraska on Thursday at 10 am CT.