The 2024 campaign was nothing short of a rollercoaster for the Iowa softball program.
The Hawkeyes entered the year with lofty preseason expectations after a strong finish to the 2023 season but failed to meet them, instead finishing with a dismal 18-28 record that included a 16-game losing streak.
Not only were the problems on the field an issue, but Iowa will now enter 2025 with new leadership, as six-year coach Renee Luers-Gillispie announced in December she would be stepping away from the team this season due to what she called a “personal health matter.”
Assistant coach Brian Levin will serve on an interim basis during the 2025 campaign.
Despite these difficult roadblocks, the Hawkeyes are motivated to improve on what many called a disappointing season.
“We’re not hiding the fact that we didn’t have a good year,” Levin said. “It just wasn’t what we expected or what we wanted. I would hope that puts a pretty big chip on the girls’ shoulder. They’re hungry and seem to be working really hard in what we are trying to accomplish here.”
Here are some key things to watch for in this season’s Iowa squad:
In the circle
Highlighting the pitching staff is none other than third-year Jalen Adams.
Adams is entering her third season as the Hawkeyes’ ace and looks to solidify herself as one of the top arms in the Big Ten conference.
Last season, Adams’ 2.59 earned a run average ranked seventh among Big Ten pitchers. The junior also tallied an impressive 159.2 innings pitched, good for ninth in the league.
Outside of Adams, Levin will have to rely on a committee of new arms to make a serious jump this season compared to last year’s performance.
Fourth-year player Haley Downe and second-year duo Jaylee Ojo and Andrea Jaskowiak are some of the pitchers expected to take on some of the load behind Adams.
With the addition of pitching coach Karl Gollan, Levin said he is excited to see how much this entire rotation can grow throughout the season.
“He’s [Gollan] so knowledgeable,” Levin said. “Just to listen to him talk about pitching is pretty impressive. I think having a pitching coach like that who has been at the world stage, won national and world championships, is invaluable.”
Key returning bats
The Hawkeyes will retain a bulk of their contributors at the plate from last season.
Fourth-year Rylie Moss returns after leading the team with a .390 batting average, good for fifth in the conference. While Moss suffered a season-ending knee injury late last year, she is poised to make an appearance later this spring.
“Whenever they say she’s cleared to go, we go for it,” Levin said. “She’s a hard worker. She’s going to do everything she can to get back on the field.”
The second-year tandem of Jena Young and Soo-Jin Berry are poised to improve on their stellar freshman season campaigns. The pair hit .373 and .322, respectively.
Impressive newcomers
Iowa welcomes a handful of freshmen who have already gained the attention of Levin and the rest of the team.
Newcomers Allyssa Ramos and Brianna Johnson, both products of California, have stood out amongst others, as Levin intends to play the talented underclassmen as soon as possible.
“Allyssa is a tremendous stick. I mean she can hit the ball. She’ll be getting some playing time for sure,” Levin said. “Brianna Johnson is doing really well. Another really hard worker. We are looking for big things from both of them.”
Up next
Iowa started its season on Feb. 7-9 in the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Clearwater, Florida.
The Hawkeyes’ will take on their next opponents on Feb. 14-16 in Commerce, Texas, for the Lions Classic II.