March 27, 2004
DES MOINES, IA – Battling Mother Nature all day, Iowa and Minnesota’s game was suspended after five innings at Sec Taylor Stadium. Play will resume tomorrow afternoon before Iowa plays N. Illinois. The Hawkeyes were trailing 11-7 as the umpires called off the action.
Minnesota’s offense exploded right from the opening pitch as they scored eight runs in the first three innings. Iowa starter Nathan Johnson lasted only two innings in the contest.
In the first inning, Minnesota catcher Jake Elder hit a three RBI double to put the Gophers on top 3-0. After plating a run in the second, Minnesota added four runs on three extra base hits in the third, including an RBI triple by center fielder Tony Leseman.
After a one-hour rain delay in the fourth inning, the Hawkeyes resumed play with one out and the bases loaded. Iowa scored four runs in the inning off Minnesota reliever Josh Krogman to cut the Gopher lead to 8-5.
First baseman Cole Grandfield scored the first run on a Krogman wild pitch and the righthander walked in Nate Yoho. Freshman Jason White notched the Hawkeyes first hit of the game on a bunt single that plated two runs.
Minnesota answered Iowa’s rally with three runs in the fifth inning off Iowa reliever Brent Jackson to put Minnesota on top 11-5.
Jesse Brownell blasted a long ball off the Wells Fargo sign above the left field skyboxes to lead off the bottom of the fifth. L.J. Mims plated Iowa’s second run on a sacrifice that knocked in Granfield.
In the first game of the Classic, Northern Colorado won its second game of the weekend with a 5-0 victory over Northern Illinois. The Bears pitching staff continued to impress as they pitched their second two-hitter in as many days. Starter Pat O’Neil struck out six batters in seven innings and Tyler Pearson pitched two innings of hitless relief.
Northern Colorado and Minnesota will square off at 11 a.m. tomorrow. The Hawkeyes and Huskies will play following the conclusion of the Minnesota-Iowa game.
Live stats, unfortuanately, will not be available for tomorrow’s game due to technical difficulties.