The Iowa softball team fell to 8-3 in Big Ten play after dropping a pair of contests to Penn State over weekend in State College, Pa.

After a 7-1 loss to the Nittany Lions (28-16, 7-7) on April 24, the Hawkeyes (23-16, 8-3) fell again, 5-2, on Sunday.

Freshman Johnnie Dowling recorded the lone Iowa hit during the April 24 contest, and fellow freshman Chelsea Lyon picked up her eighth loss of the season. Lyon allowed 10 hits and four earned runs in the defeat.

Sunday’s game was more of the same for Iowa head coach Gayle Blevins’ squad in the three-run loss.

Sophomore infielder Katie Keim led the Hawkeyes with two hits, and sophomore catcher Liz Watkins recorded a RBI.

Senior pitcher Amanda Zust allowed five earned runs over 5 1/3 innings and fell to 14-7 this year.

— by Mitch Smith