Iowa returned from Starkville, Miss., Sunday after a disappointing road trip in which they were shut down by a strong Mississippi State team.

The Bulldogs (14-0) swept the Hawkeyes (3-9) in their three-game series. Iowa’s offense was shut down, scoring only 1 run in the three games. The Hawks were shut out in back to back games for the first time this season.

Kaitlyn Mullarky made her first college start on Feb. 22, and she recorded her first hit, one of four Iowa hits on the day.

The Hawkeyes ended the weekend on a sour note — the team gave up 9 runs in five innings and tallied 4 errors.

The Hawkeyes will back in action Friday in the Arizona Tournament, which will run through March 2.

— by Jack Rossi