March 6, 2005
SPRINGFIELD, MO – The University of Iowa baseball team dropped a 12-inning marathon to the Southwest Missouri State Bears, 8-7, Sunday afternoon in Springfield, MO.
The Hawkeyes (1-4) took a 6-5 lead into the bottom of the ninth, and Iowa closer Scott Brune retired the first two hitters before giving up a game-tying home run to Zach Harris.
After a scoreless tenth, the Hawkeyes took a 7-6 lead in the top of the 11th. Andy Cox led off with a walk, then moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from Dusty Napoleon. Brian Burmester then came off the bench and ripped a single that scored Cox.
The Bears came right back in the bottom of the 11th, when Kirk McConnell hit a leadoff home run. After Iowa went 1-2-3 in the 12th, Jacob Hilgendorf tripled, then scored on an error by Iowa second baseman Jason White to end the game.
Offensively, Kris Welker was the only Hawkeye with multiple hits, going 2-of-5 with an RBI. Cox and Andy Lytle each scored a pair of runs.
Starting pitcher Austin Seward surrendered five runs (three earned) in five and two-thirds innings. He gave up seven hits, four walks and struck out four.
Iowa will head to Jacksonville, FL, next weekend to begin its spring break trip. The Hawkeyes open with Toledo University Saturday at 11 a.m.