Iowa Softball Rallies But Falls to Iowa State, 9-7

Hawkeyes mount three comebacks but can't hold off late Cyclones surge

Apr. 9, 2026 at 3:07am

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in bold colors representing the competitive energy of a softball game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa State Cyclones.The intense rivalry between Iowa and Iowa State softball teams is captured in a cubist-inspired illustration that deconstructs the action on the field.Iowa City Today

The Iowa softball team lost its seventh straight game on Wednesday, falling 9-7 to rival Iowa State in front of a season-high crowd at Bob Pearl Field in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes rallied from early deficits three times, including a three-run home run by Tory Bennett and a two-run blast by Mariah Myers, but a late homer by the Cyclones' Brianna Johnson proved to be the difference.

Why it matters

The loss extends Iowa's losing streak to seven games and marks their fourth defeat in the last six Cy-Hawk series matchups against their in-state rival. The game was a hard-fought battle between the two programs, with the Hawkeyes showing resilience in fighting back multiple times before ultimately falling short.

The details

Iowa State jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the third inning, highlighted by home runs from Tatum Johnson and Kaden Shepherd. But the Hawkeyes responded with a three-run shot from Tory Bennett in the bottom of the third to cut the deficit. Iowa then tied the game at 5-5 in the fourth on a two-run homer by Mariah Myers. The teams traded runs late, with the game knotted at 7-7 heading to the seventh. But Brianna Johnson's late home run gave Iowa State the decisive 9-7 advantage that held up.

  • The game took place on Wednesday night at Bob Pearl Field in Iowa City.
  • Iowa has now lost seven consecutive games.
  • The Hawkeyes have lost four of the last six Cy-Hawk series matchups against Iowa State.

The players

Tory Bennett

A fourth-year player and the Hawkeyes' home run leader, Bennett hit a three-run shot in the third inning to get Iowa back in the game.

Mariah Myers

A first-year player, Myers hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning to tie the game at 5-5.

Brianna Johnson

An Iowa State player who hit the decisive two-run home run in the seventh inning to give the Cyclones a 9-7 lead.

Stacy May-Johnson

The head coach of the Iowa softball team, who expressed frustration with her team's mental approach late in the game.

Carly Brewer

An Iowa first-year pitcher who came in to relieve Avery Sapp in the third inning and struck out two batters to limit the damage.

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What they’re saying

“I just came in to do my job, trying to not to let the moment get too big. I tried to stay composed because I knew my teammates had my back with the bats and in the field.”

— Carly Brewer, Iowa first-year pitcher

“You've got to get in there and take your hack, and they did that. That is why games are tied late in the seventh innings.”

— Stacy May-Johnson, Iowa head coach

“We gave ourselves a chance and were all over their pitcher, but just had none competitive at-bats, it's 100 percent a mental problem, and someone needs to step up in those moments. I have a feeling that we are going to have some extra hitting in practice tomorrow, like we seem to always have.”

— Stacy May-Johnson, Iowa head coach

“I feel like just playing our game, staying within ourselves, and trying not to be too much is the way that we will win those games. If we make sure that we do the little things right, I think we will be on the winning side.”

— Devin Simon, Iowa player

What’s next

The Hawkeyes will return to Bob Pearl Field in Iowa City next weekend to host the Dr. Christine Grant Classic, facing Georgia Tech and South Dakota State.

The takeaway

This game highlighted Iowa's resilience in fighting back from multiple deficits, but also exposed some mental lapses that the team will need to address in practice. As they prepare for the upcoming tournament, the Hawkeyes will look to regain their focus and consistency to end their current losing streak.