May 18, 2007
IOWA CITY – The University of Iowa baseball team dropped a heartbreaker to Michigan Friday night, losing 4-3 in 11 innings. Iowa falls to 30-19 (16-11), while Michigan ups its record to 37-13 (19-6).
Michigan struck with two outs in the top of the 11th when Recknagel reached on an infield single and stole second. Anthony Toth then laid down a bunt, but Brock Albert’s throw to first was wild and Recknagel came home with the go-ahead run.
Iowa went 1-2-3 in the bottom of the 11th to end the game.
The Hawkeyes got on the board in the top of the first with a two-out rally. Dusty Napoleon started things with a two-out walk, then went to third on a double off the bat of Caleb Curry. Matt Wooldrik ripped a single to center that chased home the first two runs of the game.
Michigan struck back in the top of the third, getting a sacrifice fly from Nate Recknagel to cut the Iowa lead to 2-1.
Curry looked to extend the Iowa lead in the bottom of the fifth, sending a high fly ball deep to centerfield, only to have it caught at the track for the third out.
Michigan mounted a major threat in the top of the sixth, loading the bases with two outs before Steve Turnbull got leadoff hitter Jason Christian to fly out to centerfield and end the inning.
The Wolverines tied the game up in the top of the seventh on an RBI double from Recknagel. Michigan was poised to take the lead, but some nifty defense by the Hawkeyes kept the game tied. Jason White got the first out by picking a ground ball deep in the hole at short and making a long throw across the diamond. After a walk put runners at first and third, Doug Pickens ripped a hard shot that was knocked down by a diving Kevin Hoef. The ball rolled to White, who gunned down Recknagel at home for the second out. Hoef then ended the inning with a pretty grab and throw on a short chopper from Derek VanBuskrik.
Michigan took a 3-2 lead in the top of the eighth with an RBI double from Jason Christian.
In the bottom of the ninth, Hoef put the tying run on with one out on a hit-by-pitch, then proceeded to steal second. After Brian Burmester drew a walk, Justin Toole tied the game with an RBI single to left. Michigan was able to keep the game alive, however, when Adam Abraham struck out White and catcher Chris Berset threw out pinch runner Justin Brauer at third attempting a double-steal.
Iowa threatened in the 10th, getting a one-out single from Napoleon. Abraham wiggled out of the jam, however, getting a check-swing double play on the next pitch.
Both teams will return to action tomorrow for a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m.
GAME SUMMARYMichigan 001 000 110 01 -- 4 12 1Iowa 200 000 001 00 -- 3 7 1
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