JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The University of Iowa softball team fell to Harvard and North Florida in a doubleheader on Sunday on the final day of the UNF-Jacksonville Invitational. The Crimson took down the Hawkeyes, 8-2, in game one before falling to the Ospreys, 6-1, in game two.

Senior Grace Banes went 3-for-5 on the day with three walks. Freshman Devin Bowman picked up her team-leading seventh RBI in game one of the afternoon.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Game 1

Freshman Jaylee Ojo got the start in the circle for Iowa and retired the Crimson hitters in order in the opening frame.

The Hawkeyes struck first in the top of the third as Bowman blasted a triple to right field scoring freshman Soo-Jin Berry to give Iowa the, 1-0, lead. Senior Brylee Klosterman followed that up with a productive out to score Bowman. Iowa was able to load the bases to force a Harvard pitching change but left them stranded as the top of the inning came to a close.

The Crimson responded in the bottom of the inning with a 2-run homer to tie the game. Freshman Andrea Jaskowiak took over in the circle with the bases loaded. Harvard was able to tack on two more runs in the inning to take the lead, 4-2.

Harvard kept the momentum going adding two more runs in the fourth as Iowa made another pitching change. Junior Haley Downe entered in relief and got the final out of the inning with Harvard leading, 6-2. The Crimson extended their lead in the sixth after a Hawkeye error led to two more runs, 8-2.

The Hawkeyes finished the game with two runs on five hits and had one error.

Game 2

Both teams were kept quiet through five innings. Sophomore Jalen Adams retired the Ospreys in order in the third and fourth innings. Iowa picked up their first hit in the game on a one out double off the bat of freshman Jena Young.

In the top of the sixth, the Hawkeyes had their first two runners reach base. Senior Sammy Diaz moved them both into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Junior Rylie Moss brought home the first run of the game with an infield RBI.

The Ospreys had a strong response in the bottom of the sixth. They were able plate six runs on four hits, three free passes and two Iowa errors to take a commanding lead. Iowa managed to get two runners on in the seventh, but UNF shut the door to close out the game.

The Hawkeyes finished the game with one run on six hits and had two errors.

NOTABLES

• Ojo has recorded 11 strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings of work this season.
• The Hawkeyes had five stolen bases in the doubleheader, Berry with three of them.
• The Hawkeyes had 21 runners left on base in two games.

UP NEXT

The Hawkeyes return to action on Wednesday Feb. 28 for a midweek matchup at Wichita State. First pitch at Wilkins Stadium is scheduled for 1 p.m. (CT) and will be streamed on ESPN+ (subscription required).

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Iowa State (7-7) saw its potent offense cool off on Sunday, falling to both host-school Virginia (9-4) and Lehigh (3-9). The Cyclone offense that averaged 5.3 runs per game ended up scoring just two on the day.

The day started bright and early against the Virginia Cavaliers, as the two teams squared off to start the third day of tournament play. The two teams were meant to play on Saturday but action was postponed to Sunday due to inclement weather. The Hoos went on to win 1-0 in nine innings in a matchup that featured great pitching on both sides.

The Cyclones turned around and faced the Lehigh Mountain Hawks for the second time over the weekend – having previously defeated LU on Friday, 5-4. Lehigh scored a pair in both the first and third inning and ISU was unable to overcome the deficit, losing 2-4.

Virginia 1, ISU 0 (9 Inn.)
Iowa State and Virginia eventually met on Sunday morning, a day later than initially scheduled due to inclement weather in Charlottesville. The matchup didn’t disappoint, as pitchers and defense on both sides dominated the game. Virginia was able to break a scoreless stalemate in nine innings, walking off the Cyclones.

Karlie Charles was spectacular for ISU, pitching the entire game (her 8.1 IP are the most of any Cyclone this season) and only surrendering four hits. Charles issued no walks and struck out seven in what was a two-hitter headed into the ninth.

The ISU bats struggled with UVA’s pitching duo of Savannah Henley and Eden Bingham who combined to allow just two Cyclone hits and strikeout 12 on the day. Iowa State was shutout for the first time all season.

Sunday’s meeting between the Cyclones and Cavaliers was the first since 1999 when the teams met twice as part of a tournament in Tallahassee, Fla. ISU took both meetings in the tournament, winning against current Cyclone head coach Jamie Pinkerton who was in the dugout for UVA back then as an assistant coach.

Sunday Notes
Home Runs
Iowa State: N/A
Virginia: N/A

WP – Eden Bingham (4-2): 6.0 IP, 1 hit, 0 runs, 2 walks, 3 strikeouts
SV – N/A
LP – Karlie Charles (0-2): 8.1 IP, 4 hits, 1 run, 0 walks, 7 strikeouts

ISU 2, Lehigh 4
Originally scheduled to be Iowa State’s only game of the day, ISU met Lehigh following after the UVA game.

The Cyclones were able to put together six hits, triple their morning production, but were only able to bring two runs across.

Lehigh’s pitcher, Katelyn Young, went the distance for the Mountain Hawks, pitching all seven innings and registering four strikeouts.

The Cyclones had homered in all but two games going into Sunday, but the ISU bats were held in check, producing below their season average.

Carli Spelhaug played in her 200^th game as a Cyclone on against Lehigh.

Sunday Notes
Home Runs
Iowa State: N/A
Lehigh: N/A

WP – Katelyn Young (2-4): 7.0 IP, 6 hits, 2 runs, 3 walk, 4 strikeouts
SV – N/A
LP – Jaiden Ralston (0-3): 2.2 IP, 6 hits, 4 runs (2 earned), 2 walks, 3 strikeouts

On Deck

Iowa State will be back in action next weekend, when it travels to Colorado to participate in the Colorado Classic. ISU will face off against Colorado State twice on Friday, March 1 with the first game beginning at 1 p.m. CT.