March 12, 2005
JACKSONVILLE, FL – The University of Iowa baseball team knocked off the Toledo Rockets in dramatic fashion Saturday, 13-9, in Jacksonville, FL. Trailing 9-8 in the bottom of the ninth, the Hawkeyes posted five runs to take the game, highlighted by a walk-off grand slam from senior Andy Lytle.
The Hawkeyes led 8-6 heading into the top of the ninth, but Toledo came back with three runs to take a one-run lead into the bottom of the inning. Iowa came storming back, getting a run to tie before loading the bases for Lytle, who hit his first home run of the season to end the game.
Hawkeye closer Scott Brune picked up the win. Junior Luke O’Loughlin started the game, going five innings before giving way to the Iowa bullpen.
Senior Andy Cox, who started the ninth-inning heroics with a lead-off hit, smacked a home run in the sixth to break a 4-4 tie.
All-Big Ten rightfielder Nate Yoho was 2-of-4 with an RBI, while sophomore Brian Burmester was 3-for-5 with a pair of RBIs.
Iowa (2-4) will take on Rider tomorrow at 1:30 p.m.