March 15, 2009
LOUISVILLE, KY — The Iowa baseball team upset No. 25 Louisville in a nail-biter at Jim Patterson Stadium Sunday, 2-1.
In the bottom of the ninth, with the tying run at second and two outs, closer Mike Schurz got the final strikeout to secure the win. In the victory, Iowa’s pitching and defense stood out — forcing and fielding 15 groundouts. The Louisville loss ended the team’s nine-game home winning streak.
Iowa (3-8) took the lead in the top of the second; plating its only two runs. Kurtis Muller, who returned from injury, led the inning off with a hit-by-pitch and T.J. Cataldo followed with an infield single. Both runners advanced on a fielder’s choice and then with one out Phil Keppler, in his first start of the season, laced a two-RBI double to left to put the Hawkeyes ahead.
The Cardinals (10-5) got on the board in the fourth, scoring one on three hits for a 2-1 ballgame.
The Hawkeye pitching staff held Louisville to its lowest scoring output since April 20, 2008, against Villanova in a 3-1 loss. Starter Michael Jacobs earned the win with a solid outing, going six innings and allowing just one run. Jacobs also got Iowa’s last win against a ranked opponent (6-3 win at No. 5 Vanderbilt last season). Patrick Schatz pitched one and two-third solid innings of relief — forcing four Cardinal groundouts. Schurz recorded the save going one and one-third innings with two strikeouts.
Leading Iowa’s offense was Keppler, going 2-for-4 with a two-RBI double. Cataldo extended his hit-streak to five games. Kevin Hoef went 1-for-3 with a walk, his 10th hit-by-pitch of the season and two stolen bases. Ryan Durant went 1-for-3.
Iowa will take on the Cardinals again tomorrow. First pitch is set for 11 a.m. (CDT)
GAME SUMMARY
Iowa 020 000 000 - 2 6 1
Louisville 000 100 000 - 1 9 1
WP - Jacobs (1-3)
LP - Mathis (0-2)
SV - Schurz (2)