Notes: vs. Rutgers

THIS WEEK

The University of Iowa softball team hosts Rutgers for a three game series to close out the regular season. First pitch for Friday and Saturday's games is set for 5 pm CT and Sunday's game is set for Noon CT at Bob Pearl Field. Saturday's game is Senior Day.

WATCH/FOLLOW LIVE

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

LAST TIME OUT

Iowa softball shutout Iowa State, 5-0, on Tuesday afternoon at Bob Pearl Field in the finale of the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series.

Junior Jalen Adams (23-5) oicked up her 18th complete game of the season, allowing no runs on two hits and struck out seven Cyclone hitters. Sophomore Jaylee Ojo delivered the big hit for Iowa with a pinch hit grand slam in the sixth inning.

Adams allowed a leadoff infield single to start the game and then a walk in the second inning. After that, she retired 14 straight Iowa State hitters until allowing a two-out single in the seventh.

Iowa finished the game with five runs on five hits. Iowa State had no runs on two hits.

SCOUTING THE SCARLET KNIGHTS

Head Coach Kristen Butler is in her 7th year at the helm of Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights enter the series coming off a midweek win against Monmouth, 5-2, and a Big Ten series win last weekend ,2-1, over Illinois. Rutgers is currently ranked 17th in the Big Ten. Redshirt senior outfielder Jillian Anderson leads Rutgers in batting average (.341). Freshman Ella Harrison leads in the circle with 168.1 innings pitched and a 2.54 ERA. Redshirt sophomore catcher Gaelan Kelly leads the Big Ten in runners caught stealing (14) and is 22nd nationally. Freshman pitcher Ella Harrison leads the Big Ten in games satrted (27) and is ranked 10th nationally.

2025 QUICK FACTS

• 23 wins for Adams is the most for an Iowa pitcher since 2009 (Brittany Weil, 26)
• Adams is tied for 12th all-time with 43 career wins at Iowa, and tied for 12th all time with 45 career complete games
• 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 is second in the conference and is ranked 26th nationally in runners caught stealing with 13 runners caught.
• Junior centerfielder Tory Bennett leads the Big Ten in sacrifice bunts per game (.29) and is ranked 10th nationally.
• Junior RHP Jalen Adams is first in the conference and seventh nationally in complete games (18). Adams second in the Big Ten and second nationally in wins (23). Adams is first in the conference in innings pitched (180.1), and seventh nationally.
• Sophomore infielder Jena Young is second the Big Ten in triples (5) and ranks 26th 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 (.358).
• Outfielders Tory Bennett and Tatianna Roman each have a perfect fielding percentage. Roman has contributed 43 putouts and Bennett has contributed 77 on the year.
• Jalen Adams leads the pitchers with 180.1 innings pitched and 125 strikeouts.

STARTING STREAKS

Two Hawkeyes have started all 49 games so far this season; Jena Young in the middle infield, and Tory Bennett in center field.

SENIOR DAY

The Hawkeyes will have their annual senior day on Saturday after the game. Iowa will honor five student-athletes and one student manager. The class of 2025 includes #00 Haley Downe, #4 Devyn Greer, #6 Rylie Moss, #9 Tatianna Roman, #19 Hannah Lindsay and manager Marisa Vasilevich.

UP NEXT

Iowa heads to West Lafayette, Indiana for the Big Ten Tournament May 7-10 hosted by Purude. Seeding and further tournament information will be available on Sunday.