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The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan
The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

Photos: Iowa softball falls to Minnesota in home opener

The Gophers took down the Hawkeyes, 2-0.
Travis Crabb, Photojournalist
March 21, 2026
Travis Crabb
The Iowa softball team huddles before the game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Minnesota Gophers in Iowa City at Bob Pearl Field on Friday, March 20, 2026. This is the game opener for the Hawkeyes and their new head coach Stacy May-Johnson. The Gophers beat the Hawks 2-0 to start off the softball season. (Travis Crabb / The Daily Iowan)

The Iowa Hawkeyes softball team lost their opening game 0-2 against the Minnesota Gophers at Bob Pearl Field in Iowa City on Friday, March 20, 2026.

This was not just the Hawkeyes first game of the season, but also the first season of new Iowa head coach Stacy May-Johnson. She is just the sixth head coach of the program and was a past player at the university. The first pitch of the game was thrown by her three children to start the day. 

The game started off hot for the Gophers with a home run from Minnesota senior infielder Maggie Werner to start the game 1-0. Neither team could get home until the final inning where Iowa went through three different pitchers, and fouled enough for another base to the Gophers.

The Hawks will get their chance to get back on track when they face the Gophers again in Bob Pearl Field on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 1:00 pm CDT.

The children of new Iowa head coach Stacy May-Johnson throw the opening pitch before the game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Minnesota Gophers in Iowa City at Bob Pearl Field on Friday, March 20, 2026. This is the game opener for the Hawkeyes and their new head coach Stacy May-Johnson. The Gophers beat the Hawks 2-0 to start off the softball season. (Travis Crabb / The Daily Iowan)
Iowa freshman right-hand pitcher Carly Brewer attempts a pitch in the game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Minnesota Gophers in Iowa City at Bob Pearl Field on Friday, March 20, 2026. This is the game opener for the Hawkeyes and their new head coach Stacy May-Johnson. The Gophers beat the Hawks 2-0 to start off the softball season. (Travis Crabb / The Daily Iowan)
Minnesota senior infielder Maggie Werner runs to her team after she hit a home run in a game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Minnesota Gophers in Iowa City at Bob Pearl Field on Friday, March 20, 2026. This is the game opener for the Hawkeyes and their new head coach Stacy May-Johnson. The Gophers beat the Hawks 2-0 to start off the softball season. (Travis Crabb / The Daily Iowan)
Iowa junior outfielder Devin Simon prepares for a pitch in a game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Minnesota Gophers in Iowa City at Bob Pearl Field on Friday, March 20, 2026. This is the game opener for the Hawkeyes and their new head coach Stacy May-Johnson. The Gophers beat the Hawks 2-0 to start off the softball season. (Travis Crabb / The Daily Iowan)
Iowa senior infielder Avery Jackson swings at the ball in a game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Minnesota Gophers in Iowa City at Bob Pearl Field on Friday, March 20, 2026. This is the game opener for the Hawkeyes and their new head coach Stacy May-Johnson. The Gophers beat the Hawks 2-0 to start off the softball season. (Travis Crabb / The Daily Iowan)
Iowa celebrates an out in the game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Minnesota Gophers in Iowa City at Bob Pearl Field on Friday, March 20, 2026. This is the game opener for the Hawkeyes and their new head coach Stacy May-Johnson. The Gophers beat the Hawks 2-0 to start off the softball season. (Travis Crabb / The Daily Iowan)
Minnesota infielder sophomore Tinley Easton catches the ball in the game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Minnesota Gophers in Iowa City at Bob Pearl Field on Friday, March 20, 2026. This is the game opener for the Hawkeyes and their new head coach Stacy May-Johnson. The Gophers beat the Hawks 2-0 to start off the softball season. (Travis Crabb / The Daily Iowan)
Iowa senior left-hand pitcher Serayah Neiss attempts a pitch in a game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Minnesota Gophers in Iowa City at Bob Pearl Field on Friday, March 20, 2026. This is the game opener for the Hawkeyes and their new head coach Stacy May-Johnson. The Gophers beat the Hawks 2-0 to start off the softball season. (Travis Crabb / The Daily Iowan)