The Iowa softball team will open its fall exhibition season at 6 p.m. today against Iowa Central Community College at Pearl Field.
The Hawkeyes finished 27-24 (9-11 Big Ten) last season; the Tritons compiled a 45-13 record.
Marla Looper enters her second year as Iowa’s head coach after replacing longtime coach Gayle Blevins when the latter retired before last season. Looper is assisted by Adrianna Baggetta and Stacy May-Johnson, a former Hawkeye who helped lead Team USA to the 2011 World Cup of Softball crown.
Both Iowa’s starting pitchers — junior Chelsea Lyon and sophomore Kayla Massey — return, and they are joined by nine additional letter winners.
Infielder Katie Keim and catcher Liz Watkins are the only seniors on the Iowa roster; the two are joined by seven juniors, six sophomores, and four freshmen.
Iowa will play four home games during “fall ball” — today, Sept. 16 against Indian Hills Community College, Sept. 30 against Kirkwood Community College, and Oct. 7 against Muscatine Community College.
The Hawkeyes will also travel to Des Moines to take part in the Big Four Classic on Sept. 24-25.
Iowa will play Iowa State, Drake, and Northern Iowa.
— by Sam Louwagie
