March 1, 2009
DELAND, FL — The Iowa baseball team lost to Southern Illinois at Conrad Park on Sunday, 8-3. Due to a rain delay, the Hawkeyes started an hour late and were only able to play an eight inning contest–due to travel. Justin Toole finished the weekend going 8-for-10 with two RBI and two runs scored.
The Salukis (2-6) got on the board in the first to take an early 3-0 lead. All three runs were unearned. Southern Illinois manufactured a run in the second to further their lead to 4-0. The inning featured an RBI double by Mark Kelly.
The Hawkeyes (1-5) plated one in the third for a 4-1 ballgame. The inning started with a leadoff walk by Zach McCool. One out later, Trevor Willis sacrifice bunted McCool over to second. Toole took advantage of the runner and singled up the middle for an RBI.
Iowa kept at it in the fourth to close the gap and make it 4-3. Ryan Durant started things with a leadoff hit, stole second and advanced to third on a fielder’s choice. Chett Zeise picked up an RBI with a sacrifice fly. With two outs, Kody McManis walked and McCool crushed a deep double to left center to score McManis.
Southern Illinois added two unearned runs in the fifth and a lone earned run in the sixth to further their lead to 7-3.
Toole continued to have a monster weekend going 2-for-3 with an RBI. McCool also hit well, going 2-for-3 with a run scored and RBI. Durant went 3-for-4 with a run scored and Zeise went 1-for-2 with an RBI.
Pitchers Nick Erdman, Patrick Schatz, Jarred Hippen, Tony Manville and Mike Schurz allowed only one walk and three earned Saluki runs today.
Iowa will travel to Clarksville, TN for a three game series at Austin Peay next weekend. First pitch is set for Friday, March 6th at 3 p.m. (CST).
GAME SUMMARY
Iowa 001 200 00 - 3 9 2
Southern Illinois 310 022 0x - 8 14 1
WP - Etienne (1-0)
LP - Erdman (0-1)