IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa softball team walked off Rutgers, 4-3, on Friday evening at Bob Pearl Field in game one of the three game series.

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.

Adams started the game off striking out the first Rutgers batter. After a walk to the two hitter, the Hawkeye defense turned a double play to end the inning. Young started the home half with a leadoff double to left center and moved to third after a sacrifice bunt, but was left stranded as the inning came to a close.

Rutgers was first on the board in the top of the second as the leadoff batter came around to score on an RBI double. Iowa answered back quickly in the home half of the inning. Senior Hannah Lindsay started the inning with double to left center, followed by freshman Talia Tretton reaching on a walk. Simon showed up big for Iowa, delivering a home run off the scoreboard in center field to give the Hawkeyes the lead, 3-1.

Both teams went quietly in the third and fourth innings. The Hawkeyes threatened in the fifth, with Young hitting a leadoff double and got to third on a sac bunt. Rutgers held strong as two Hawkeyes were left on base as the inning ended.

The Scarlet Knights tied the game in the top of the sixth on a two-run home run. Iowa was able to load the bases in the bottom of the inning, but were unable to capitalize.

Adams held strong in the seventh to keep the game tied at three. The Hawkeyes loaded the bases with one out with walks to Desiree Rivera, Lindsay and Tretton. Simon was able to put the ball in play as the runner on third came home on an error by the Rutgers shortstop to win the game.

Iowa finished the game with four runs on four hits and left eight runners on. Rutgers had three runs on seven hits and two errors.

NOTABLES

• Adams picked up her 24th win of the season, the most for a Hawkeye pitcher since 2009 (Brittany Weil, 26).
• Iowa has 29 home runs this season, the most since the 2015 season (35).
• Adams ranks 12th all-time for career wins at Iowa with 44.
• Adams ranks 12th all-time for career complete games at Iowa with 46.

UP NEXT
Iowa (33-17, 13-7) returns to action against Rutgers for game two of the series on Saturday at Bob Pearl Field for Senior Night. First pitch is scheduled for 5 pm CT and will be streamed on B1G+ ($) and broadcast on Hawkeye Radio Network. Tickets are available for $7 for adults, youth 18 and under are free. More ticketing information can be found on hawkeyesports.com.