The Iowa softball team went 1-4 at the Red and Black Showcase in Athens, Ga.

The Hawkeyes jumped out to a four-run lead in the first inning of their season-opener on Feb. 11, only to fall 5-4 to Lipscomb. Senior Jenny Schuelke hit a three-run home run to give Iowa a seemingly comfortable early lead. Sophomore Chelsea Lyon pitched four innings, allowing seven hits and five runs in defeat.

Later that day, Iowa earned a 1-0 victory over Maryland. Freshman Kayla Massey pitched a complete game shutout, and junior Liz Watkins provided all the offense with a solo home run.

Feb. 12 brought a 1-0 walk-off loss to East Carolina — in which Lyon pitched 6 1/3 shutout innings and struck out seven batters — and an 8-1 loss to host No. 3 Georgia, in which the Hawkeyes surrendered 10 hits.

Iowa finished the tournament with a 13-4 loss Sunday to Illinois State. The Hawkeyes will return to action at the Littlewood Classic in Tempe, Ariz., on Friday against Idaho State.

— by Sam Louwagie