April 27, 2008
LANSING, MI — The Iowa baseball team fell to Michigan State, 11-10 in the bottom of the ninth at Oldsmobile Park. The Hawkeye offense scattered 10 hits and played solid defense, but ultimately fell due to the amount of free bases given to the Spartans.
With a tied ballgame, 10-10 in the bottom of the ninth the Hawkeyes fell short. Andrew Porter got the loss, having walked in the game winning run. The Spartan’s loaded the bases on two hits and an intentional walk. Eric Root drew a one-out walk-off walk to put the Spartan’s ahead, 11-10.
In the loss, Kyle Riffel swung the bat with authority going 2-for5 with three RBI. Kurtis Muller also played well offensively for Iowa, going 1-for-2 with a walk, stolen base and RBI. Tyson Blaser went 1-for-2 with a two-RBI double. Caleb Curry ran the bases well stealing two bags. Eight Hawkeyes recorded a hit.
Kevin Hoef started off things for Iowa in the third, taking advantage of an error by the shortstop to reach first. Two-outs later, Wes Freie singled to right field to move Hoef to third. Muller loaded the bases after being hit by a pitch and Riffel delivered with a two-RBI single to right center to put Iowa on the board, 2-0.
The Spartans (17-22, 7-12) got on the board in the fourth, scoring three to take a 3-2 lead. The inning featured four hits and a Steve Gerstenberger solo home run.
The Hawkeyes (16-25, 6-14) picked up another two runs in the fifth on two hits, to take a 4-3 lead. Muller started things, drawing a one-out walk. One batter later, T.J. Cataldo came up with a two-out single to the pitcher. Kody McManis took advantage and hit a two-RBI double down the left field line.
Michigan State countered in the bottom of the fifth, with three to take back the lead 6-4.
Iowa kept at it in the sixth, adding another four runs to make it an 8-6 Hawkeye ballgame. Curry reached base on a Spartan error and stole second to start the Hawkeye rally. One batter later, Curry stole third and was hit in by Muller with a single to left field. Riffel continued things with an RBI single to right field. Blaser pinch hit for McManis and doubled to center field to pick up two RBI.
The Hawkeyes continued to add to their total in the seventh, adding two to make it 10-6. Hoef started the inning off right with a lead off single through the left side. Toole hit him in with a double down the left field line. Curry hit a deep ball left field for the sacrifice fly to bring in Toole.
Michigan State scored three in the seventh, to chip away at the Iowa lead and make it 10-9. The inning featured three Spartan hits and a Root two-RBI double.
The Spartans tied the ballgame up 10-10 in the bottom of the eighth taking advantage of three free bases. The Hawkeyes got out of a jam in the inning with a 1-2-3 double play.
“Free bases is what it came down to,” Head Coach Jack Dahm said. “Offensively, our guys did a good job and when you score ten runs you should win the game. We gave up pass balls, wild pitches, walks and you can’t do that. In order for us to keep the score down we need to make them earn every 90 feet and we didn’t do that.”
Iowa will take on the Northern Iowa Wednesday in the Corridor Classic at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Cedar Rapids, IA. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.
GAME SUMMARY
Iowa 002 024 200 --- 10 10 1
Michigan State 000 330 311 --- 11 13 2
WP - MacFarlane (1-0)
LP - Porter (1-3)