Hawkeyes Fall 5-4 in Ten Innings

March 20, 2005

Box Score

SARASOTA, FL – The University of Iowa baseball team finished its 2005 spring break trip with a 5-4, ten inning loss at the hands of Illinois-Chicago. The loss is Iowa’s third-straight one-run loss and second-consecutive extra-inning defeat.

With the scored tied 4-4 in the tenth, former Hawkeye Jeff Gremley started things off for the Flames with a walk. Bryan Nolte then managed a one-out single off Hawkeye reliever Kevin Sunderman, which moved Gremley to third. He scored on a sacrifice fly by Larry Gempp to give Illinois-Chicago a 5-4 lead.

The Hawkeyes managed to get the tying run in scoring position with a single from Nate Yoho and sacrifice bunt by Kris Welker in the bottom of the tenth, but a pop out and ground out ended the night for Iowa.

In the top of the fourth, Iowa dug itself into a 4-0 hole by committing three errors and letting four runs cross the plate. The Hawkeyes fought right back, getting a run in the bottom of the fourth, two in the fifth and one in the sixth to tie things up.

Yoho, Welker and L.J. Mims were each 2-4 on the day. Mims added a pair of stolen bases.

On the hill, Casey O’Rourke allowed nine hits over five and 2/3 innings, and gave up four runs (one earned). Travis Sweet and Tim Gudex each pitched scoreless relief.

Iowa (4-7) will return to action Friday when the Hawkeyes start a three-game series at Wichita State.