Hawkeyes Fall in Final Game of Dr. Christine Grant Classic

Iowa softball team drops 7-4 decision to South Dakota State

Apr. 13, 2026 at 2:20am

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting depicting a softball game in a cubist, deconstructed style, with players and the field rendered as sharp, overlapping geometric planes that convey the dynamic action and energy of the sport.A cubist interpretation of the intense action and energy of the Hawkeyes' loss to South Dakota State, capturing the game's shifting momentum and the team's resilience in the face of adversity.Iowa City Today

The University of Iowa softball team lost to South Dakota State, 7-4, in the final game of the Dr. Christine Grant Classic at Pearl Field on Sunday. The Hawkeyes struck first with a run in the second inning, but the Jackrabbits responded with four unanswered runs to take control of the game. Iowa rallied to tie it at 4-4 in the fifth, but South Dakota State regained the lead with three runs in the sixth and held on for the victory.

Why it matters

The loss drops Iowa's record to 20-18 on the season as they continue their non-conference schedule before Big Ten play resumes. The Hawkeyes were looking to build momentum heading into the final stretch of the regular season, but this defeat is a setback as they aim to secure a postseason berth.

The details

Iowa took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on a successful double steal, but South Dakota State answered with an RBI single in the third to tie it. The Jackrabbits then broke the game open with a three-run home run in the fourth to go up 4-1. The Hawkeyes rallied in the fifth, scoring three runs to knot the game at 4-4, but South Dakota State regained the lead with three runs in the sixth and held on for the victory.

  • The game was played on Sunday, April 13, 2026 at Pearl Field in Iowa City.
  • Iowa struck first with a run in the bottom of the second inning.
  • South Dakota State tied the game with an RBI single in the top of the third.
  • The Jackrabbits took a 4-1 lead with a three-run home run in the fourth inning.
  • Iowa scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game at 4-4.

The players

Kiara Sipe

An Iowa softball player who went 3-for-3 with two doubles, an RBI and a run scored in the game.

Brianna Johnson

An Iowa softball player who reached base and moved into scoring position in the second inning.

Avery Jackson

An Iowa softball player who reached base and scored a run in the fifth inning rally.

Tory Bennett

An Iowa softball player who reached base and scored a run in the fifth inning rally.

Stacy May-Johnson

The head coach of the Iowa softball team.

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What they’re saying

“We have to keep looking for ways to get better because it just takes a small push to get us on the other side of these games. We're learning to make adjustments, we're learning to game plan for pitchers and we're learning to deal with failure. This was still a very good growth weekend; unfortunately, we don't have as many wins as we would have liked to show for it.”

— Stacy May-Johnson, Head Coach

What’s next

The Hawkeyes will return home to Bob Pearl Field on April 17-19 for a three-game series against Big Ten opponent Indiana. This will be an important conference matchup as Iowa looks to improve its record and position itself for the postseason.

The takeaway

Despite the loss, the Hawkeyes showed resilience in rallying to tie the game in the fifth inning. However, they were unable to hold off South Dakota State's late surge, highlighting areas for improvement as Iowa prepares for the final stretch of the regular season and a crucial Big Ten series against Indiana.