—Photo courtesy of Iowa softball Fort dodge graduate tory bennett is in the batters box for the Hawkeyes. Bennett made the switch from shortstop to centerfield for Iowa.

Winners of eight consecutive games, the Iowa softball team will again test the deep water at the University of Arkansas “Wooo Pig Classic” beginning Friday.

The Hawkeyes, who are off to a 10-3 start, face Missouri State at 10 a.m. before a showdown with the host Razorbacks – ranked 11th nationally – at 3 p.m.

Iowa will square off with the Bears and Arkansas again on Saturday with the same times, followed by a Sunday tilt versus fellow Big Ten member Illinois at 10 a.m.

All contests are in Fayetteville, Ark.

Former Fort Dodge all-staters Jalen Adams and Tory Bennett continue to take on increased roles and responsibilities with the program. Adams is off to a 7-1 start in the pitching circle with an earned run average of less than 1. Opponents are batting only .188 against the 2022 FDSH graduate, who has struck out 24 in 40.2 innings of work. She’s surrendered just 28 hits and five earned runs.

Adams currently ranks third in the Big Ten for wins and fourth in ERA.

Bennett has made the switch from infield to center look seamless. She’s batting .353 with 13 runs scored, seven RBI and a pair of doubles in 34 at-bats – predominantly as the No. 3 hitter in the lineup.

Bennett’s on-base percentage of .522 is the best among Iowa starters and ninth in the Big Ten to date. She’s also stolen two bases.

Next weekend, the Hawks go to the Alabama Spring Break Showdown. Big Ten play starts at Indiana on March 15-16.