IOWA CITY — The Stacy May-Johnson era of Iowa softball continued to clip along with another in-state commitment on Monday.

Mount Vernon’s Hayden Gookin became the second player in the class of 2027 to announce her commitment to the Hawkeye softball program, joining Xavier’s Maddyn Gates.

In an interview with the Quad-City Times, the junior right-handed pitcher/utility player explained why she chose to close her commitment less than a month since the open contact period started for 2027 prospects.

“I definitely thought Iowa was the right place for me,” Gookin said. “I’ve been a Hawkeye fan my whole life, and so is my family. It was not a difficult decision when Coach Stacy gave me an offer because who wouldn’t want to play for their home state, especially at a school I have been cheerin

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