Hawkeyes Softball Falls to McNeese State

Iowa drops game 11-4 in Louisiana, looks ahead to LSU Invitational

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The University of Iowa softball team lost 11-4 to McNeese State on Thursday afternoon in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The Hawkeyes fell behind early and were unable to mount a full comeback despite a late rally. Iowa now stands at 10-5 on the season and will next compete in the LSU Invitational this weekend.

Why it matters

This loss drops Iowa's record to 10-5 on the season, putting them at risk of falling out of the top rankings as they head into a tough tournament at LSU. The Hawkeyes will need to regroup quickly to have a successful showing at the invitational and maintain their standing as one of the top teams in the country.

The details

McNeese State jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning with a three-run home run. Iowa responded in the second with a sacrifice fly, but the Cowgirls added three more runs in the third and one in the fifth to extend their lead to 7-2. The Hawkeyes trimmed the deficit to 7-4 in the sixth, but McNeese State answered with four more runs to seal the 11-4 victory.

  • The game took place on Thursday, February 26, 2026 in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
  • Iowa will next compete in the LSU Invitational on Friday, February 27 and Saturday, February 28, 2026.

The players

Kiara Sipe

A sophomore on the Iowa softball team.

Leah McAnally

A junior on the Iowa softball team.

Nailyn Marshall

A redshirt-sophomore on the Iowa softball team.

Devin Simon

A junior on the Iowa softball team.

McKenzie Leitgen

A freshman on the Iowa softball team.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The Hawkeyes will travel to Baton Rouge, Louisiana to compete in the LSU Invitational on Friday, February 27 and Saturday, February 28, 2026. They will face Nicholls State on Friday at 11 a.m. CT and Memphis at 1:30 p.m. CT.

The takeaway

This loss highlights the challenges the Iowa softball team will face as they look to maintain their standing among the top teams in the country. The Hawkeyes will need to regroup quickly and put in a strong showing at the LSU Invitational to regain momentum heading into the heart of their season.