BOLIVAR, MO — The Iowa Hawkeye baseball team lost to the Missouri State Bears Saturday, 6-3. Iowa’s bullpen threw well in the loss and the Hawkeyes chipped away at the Bears lead throughout the game. The Hawkeyes fall to 3-4 overall, while the Bears improve to 6-2.
The Bears got on the board first, in the bottom of the first. The inning featured a two-RBI double by Brayde Drake and three Brock Alberts strikeouts.
Alberts (1-1) picked up the loss. He pitched three and one-third innings, giving up six runs on four hits and striking out four. The Hawkeye bullpen featured Andrew Porter, Tony Manville and Kyle Heim. The bullpen allowed no runs and two hits in four and two-third innings.
“Our bullpen really kept us in it and gave us a chance,” Head Coach Jack Dahm. “Six runs was just too much to overcome tonight, but we still have some games to play tomorrow.”
Justin Brauer started things off for Iowa in the third with a single to left center. He then stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by the catcher. Justin Toole took advantage, hitting a RBI grounder to the shortstop, to score Brauer and put the Hawkeyes on the board, 3-1.
The Hawkeyes continued to chip away in the fourth, starting with a Tyson Blaser single to center. Matt Mossey brought Blaser in with a standup double to center, making it a 3-2 game.
Missouri State struck back in the bottom of the fourth. The Bears scored three on a three-RBI Drake home run.
In the eighth, the Hawkeyes scored again. Caleb Curry reached on a fielder’s choice and was moved to third on the second Mossey double of the afternoon. Curry later scored on a wild pitch, making it 6-3.
In the Iowa loss, the Hawkeyes’ defense played well and had no errors. The Black and Gold were led by Mossey who was 2-for-3 with two doubles and one RBI. Blaser went 2-for-4 and Mueller went 1-for-3 for the Hawkeyes.
“We allowed two big innings and that was the difference of the game,” Head Coach Jack Dahm. “Overall though, we were just over anxious and got our self out.”
Iowa will take on the Bears tomorrow in a double header at Hammons Field in Springfield, MO. (A seven inning game, followed by a nine inning game). First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
GAME SUMMARYIowa 001 100 010 -- 3 7 0Missouri State 300 300 00X -- 6 6 4
WP - Clubb (1-0)LP - Alberts (1-1)