EAST LANSING, Mich. – The University of Iowa softball team defeated Michigan State on Sunday afternoon at Secchia Stadium, 6-4, in the finale of the three-game series. This is Iowa’s third straight Big Ten series win and fourth of the season.

Junior Jalen Adams (22-5) got the start in the circle and threw her 17th complete game of the season. Adams surrendered four runs on five hits and fanned three. Seven Hawkeyes recorded a hit as junior Tory Bennett recorded the only multi hit game going 2-for-3. Sophomore Jena Young and freshman Talia Tretton each hit a home run for the Hawkeyes.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Iowa’s patience at the plate paid off early as four of the five first hitters of the game reached on a free pass giving the Hawkeyes the early lead, 1-0, as sophomore Soo-Jin Berry drew a bases loaded walk. Tretton came to the plate next and launched a grand slam off the foul pole in left field to extend the Iowa lead to five.

The Hawkeyes added to their lead in the second as Young sent one out of the park in straight away center field. Michigan State got on the board in the bottom of the inning on a sacrifice fly.

Iowa was able to load the bases in the fourth but were unable to bring a run home. The Spartans added three in the bottom half on a two-RBI double and an RBI ground out to cut the lead to two, 6-4.

Adams held strong in the circle the remainder of the game. She retired the Spartans in order in the sixth for the third time. She was able to close out the game in the seventh to secure the series win for the Hawkeyes.

Iowa finished the game with six runs on eight hits. Michigan State scored four runs on five hits.

NOTABLES

• Tretton’s grand slam was the second of the season for the Hawkeyes.
• Adams picked up her 22nd win of the season, the most for a Hawkeye pitcher since 2009 (Brittany Weil, 26).
• This is Iowa’s 12th Big Ten win of the season, the most since 2012 (16) *
• Four Big Ten series wins is the most in a season since 2012 (6) *
• This was Iowa’s third straight Big Ten series win, the longest streak since 2012 (5) *
• Iowa moves to 82-31 all-time against Michigan State.

*excluding the 2021 COVID bubble season

UP NEXT
Iowa (31-17, 12-7) returns to action against Iowa State on Tuesday for game two of the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series at Bob Pearl Field. First pitch is scheduled for 5:30pm CT and will be streamed on B1G+ ($) and broadcast on Hawkeye Radio Network.