IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa softball team fell to Minnesota, 7-5, in game one of a three-game series on Saturday afternoon at Bob Pearl Field.

 Sophomore Jalen Adams (9-13) got the start for the Hawkeyes and stranded five gophers in her first two innings of work.

Minnesota got on the board in the top of the third on a solo home run. The Hawkeyes were unable to capitalize in the bottom of the third despite loading the bases with one out. The Gophers capitalized on free passes in the fourth plating four runs on four hits and three walks to extend their lead, 5-0.  

Junior Haley Downe took over in the circle to start the fifth inning. Minnesota pushed the lead to seven in the top of the fifth on a two-run home run. Iowa load up the bases in the bottom of the fifth on singles from Skylinn Pogue and Jena Young and a walk to Tory Bennett. Senior Sammy Diaz brought in the first Hawkeye run on an RBI single up the middle.

Iowa capitalized on Gopher errors in the bottom of the sixth. After Adams led off the inning with a walk, sophomore Avery Jackson laid down a bunt and came all the way around to score on two Minnesota throwing errors to make it, 7-3.  

The Hawkeye fight was alive in the bottom of the seventh as the first two batters reached base to open the inning. Freshman Jena Young dodged a tag at home to score on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Diaz. With runners on the corners the game entered a weather delay. After the delay, senior Brylee Klosterman brought home Bennett on a sacrifice fly to make it, 7-5. The Gophers retired the next two Iowa hitters to close out the game.

Iowa finished with five runs on nine hits and no errors.