—Submitted Photo The video scoreboard shows in Arizona shows Fort Dodge graduate Jalen Adams in her Wildcat softball debut.

TUSCON, Ariz. — Jalen Adams’ Arizona debut was a memory she will never forget.

The Fort Dodge all-stater made her first-ever start in the circle for the Wildcats with her new teammates and family.

“The environment from the start of the day was really good,” Adams said. “My parents flew in (on Thursday morning), and seeing them before I had to report to the field was just a good start to my preparation for the day.”

The University of Iowa transfer hurled a no-hitter in her first time pitching for Arizona. The Wildcats blanked Southern Utah on Thursday, 8-0, behind the right arm of Adams.

“The no-hitter is all thanks to the amazing defense I had behind me,” Adams said. “Because the girls did their job offensively, I only had to throw five innings.”

Adams, who led the Dodgers to a state championship, was one hit batter away from a perfect game.

“The no-hitter is a great starting point,” Adams said. “But again — the defense and offense did their parts perfectly to set this win up for us.”

She needed just 53 pitches to get through five innings, striking out four batters without issuing a walk.

“As the game was going on I really just tried to take it one pitch at a time,” Adams said. “I am so blessed to be surrounded with such amazing girls and coaches.

“So soaking up as much of this environment as I can is my main goal for this season.”

Adams was part of Arizona’s upset over third-ranked Oklahoma 11-6 on Friday night in the opener of a three-game set, picking up her second win in two days.

The Dodger graduate worked six innings of relief, giving up seven hits, allowing two earned runs, while striking out two in the victory.

In 2025, Adams went 25-6 with the Hawkeyes, recording a 2.18 earned run average with 130 strikeouts. She ranked third in the Big Ten Conference in earned run average, starts and victories.

“Taking the leap to leave Iowa was a tough choice I had to make for myself,” Adams said. “I had a lot more growing up to do than I realized before leaving.

“So leading up to this first game, I made sure I prepared mentally and physically the best I could for this team.”

Adams finished her three years with Iowa by recording 45 victories and 245 strikeouts with an earned run average of 2.26. She was named all-freshman by the Big Ten, second team all-Big Ten and to the NFCA all-midwest second team in 2025.

Adams tossed a no-hitter for the Hawkeyes against Michigan State her sophomore year.