March 26, 2005
WICHITA, KS – The University of Iowa baseball team was blown out by the No. 21 Wichita State Shockers, 17-6, Saturday at Tyler Field. The Shocker bats were on fire most of the game, knocking out 18 hits, 15 of which were singles.
Things started well for Iowa, who took a 3-1 lead in the top of the fourth on five singles and a wild pitch. The Hawkeyes had a chance for more runs in the inning, but left the bases loaded.
Wichita State came back in a big way in the bottom of the inning, posting five runs on six hits to take a 6-3 advantage. Iowa tied the game with a run in the fifth and two in the sixth, but the Shockers then opened the offensive floodgates and put the game out of reach. Wichita State score four in the bottom of the sixth, five in the seventh and two in the eighth to take a 17-6 lead.
Iowa senior Andy Lytle was an offensive bright spot for the Hawkeyes, going 3-4 and raising his team-high batting average to .446.
Hawkeye starter Casey O’Rourke lasted just three and 1/3 innings, giving up five earned runs. Tim Gudex took the loss in relief, giving up four runs in two innings.
Iowa (4-9) and Wichita State (21-6) will wrap-up the three game series tomorrow. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.