The Iowa softball team saw three of its players earn preseason hardware, building energy toward the start of the season.
Second-year infielders Soo-Jin Berry and Jena Young along with third-year pitcher Jalen Adams were all named on the pre-season Big Ten Players to Watch List.
“I’d say it’s a privilege to be honored as that and to be able to represent my team in that way,” Berry said.
“I think it’s pretty cool,” Young said. “But it doesn’t really mean anything if you don’t produce in the season.”
Infielders are some of the most important positions on the softball field, and Adams said she is beyond thrilled to share the field with her co-stars who have made substantial marks on the team.
“I think having two of our middle infielders on that list is a huge deal,” Adams said. “Because they make such a big impact on our defense, and I’m really proud of them.”
One week into the new season, the Hawkeyes’ big three look to prove why they were added to the watch list: their crucial contributions to the game.
Last season Berry started 36 games for the Hawkeyes, posting a .322 average with a team-leading 26 runs batted in.
Berry pushes herself to maintain her success as she begins her second season while putting the team first.
“Just having the same work ethic I had last year,” Berry said when asked how she looks to continue her success. “Pushing myself and my teammates so we can all do better as a whole. If I succeed, that’s one thing, but having the whole team succeed is the bigger thing. My job is to support that.”
Young was a first-team All-Big Ten selection following her first season in 2024 after leading Iowa in home runs, slugging percentage, and on-base slugging percentage, making her case of being on the preseason watch list a no-brainer.
While the All-Big Ten team selection was impressive, that accomplishment was never on Young’s mind, an outlook that remains this season.
Young has struggled to begin the 2025 season, collecting just one hit, but remains focused on helping Iowa win games.
“It wasn’t really something I was thinking about,” Young said. “I was just trying to go out and play good softball for our team. I just try to stay true to who I am.”
Adams, a third-year pitcher for the Hawkeyes, comes off two straight seasons with over 159 innings pitched. The goal is for that experience to transfer into success for the team this season. The junior posted a 2.59 earned run average in 30 appearances last season and also tossed 17 complete games, four shutouts, and one no-hitter.
Now with Big Ten and national attention on the Hawkeye ace, Adams looks to rely on her teammates to help replicate the career success she’s had.
That mentality has continued Adams’ success into the early portion of the year, as she has yet to surrender an earned run, allowing just four hits in 14 innings of work.
“I just lean into my teammates and know that I trust the defense I have behind me,” Adams said. “That allows me to spin the ball better and locate my spots better.”