Hawkeyes Struggle in Day 2 of Dr. Christine Grant Classic

Iowa softball team goes 0-2, falling to Georgia Tech and South Dakota State

Apr. 12, 2026 at 9:17am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fractured, multi-perspective view of a softball game, with sharp, overlapping planes of navy blue, forest green, and burnt orange colors.The Hawkeyes' struggles on day two of the Dr. Christine Grant Classic tournament expose areas the team needs to improve to compete against top competition.Iowa City Today

The University of Iowa softball team had a tough day two at the Dr. Christine Grant Classic, losing 8-0 to Georgia Tech in six innings and then dropping a 3-2 extra-inning decision to South Dakota State. The Hawkeyes were unable to find their rhythm, getting outmatched by their opponents' offensive firepower.

Why it matters

This early-season tournament is an important test for the Hawkeyes as they look to build momentum heading into conference play. The losses highlight areas the team needs to improve, particularly on the offensive side, in order to compete against top competition.

The details

In the first game, Georgia Tech jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning and then broke the game open with four runs in the third, including back-to-back home runs. The Yellow Jackets added two more home runs to secure the run-rule victory. In the second game, South Dakota State took a 1-0 lead in the first, but Iowa rallied with two runs in the fifth to go ahead 2-1. However, the Jackrabbits tied it in the eighth with a solo homer to eventually win 3-2 in extra innings.

  • The games were played on April 11, 2026 as part of the Dr. Christine Grant Classic tournament.
  • First pitch against South Dakota State on Sunday, April 11 is set for 12:30 p.m. (CT).

The players

Carly Brewer

The Iowa freshman pitcher started the second game, going six innings and limiting opposing hitters to a .227 batting average.

Devin Simon

The Iowa player went 2-for-6 on the day with a run scored.

Nailyn Marshall

The Iowa player finished 2-for-5 with two walks and two RBIs.

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What’s next

The Hawkeyes will look to bounce back on Sunday, April 11 when they close out the Dr. Christine Grant Classic with a matchup against South Dakota State at 12:30 p.m. (CT).

The takeaway

The Hawkeyes' struggles on day two of the Dr. Christine Grant Classic highlight the need for the team to improve their offensive production and overall execution in order to compete against top competition. As they head into the final day of the tournament, the focus will be on making the necessary adjustments to end on a high note.