March 16, 2009
LOUISVILLE, KY — The Iowa baseball team lost in the final game of its series to No. 25 Louisville at Jim Patterson Stadium Monday, 11-7. The Hawkeyes made a late run at the Cardinals in the ninth, however, ended up falling short despite scoring four runs on three hits and drawing three walks.
In the loss, Dallas Burke 2-for-3 with two-RBI to lead Iowa. Justin Toole had three RBI with a double, Chett Zeise was 1-for-1, Sean Flanagan went 1-for-3 and Wes Freie was 1-for-3 with a run scored. In the game, 22 Hawkeyes saw action.
The Cardinals (11-5) scored two in the second for an early 2-0 lead despite not having a hit. Louisville pulled away in the third, batting around the order with only three hits to secure a 7-0 game.
Iowa (3-11) got on the board in the fourth for a 7-1 score. Freie got on with a one-out double, moved to third on a passed ball and scored on an infielder’s error.
Louisville added two insurance runs to take a 9-1 lead in the fourth on four hits. The Cardinals added another two runs in the sixth, both were unearned.
The Hawkeyes kept battling back in the fifth, scoring two for a 9-3 game. Andrew Ewing drew a walk to start the inning, followed by a Burke singled to right field. Two outs later, Toole hit a two-RBI double into the right center gap.
Iowa made a run at Louisville in the ninth, but it was little-too-late and Iowa fell 11-7. Phil Keppler was walked to leadoff; one out later Jeff Pacha drew a walk. The two advanced on a wild pitch, and Ewing loaded the bases with a walk. Burke hit a two-RBI single through the right side, followed by a Flanagan single to the shortstop to load the bases. Zach McCool took advantage, bringing in a run with a single to center. Toole picked up an RBI with a fielder’s choice, to put runners on first and second.
Iowa will take Tuesday off and travel to Martin, TN. The Hawkeyes will take on the Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks Wednesday; first pitch is set for 4 p.m. (CDT)
GAME SUMMARY
Iowa 000 120 004 - 7 7 4
Louisville 025 202 00x - 11 9 1
WP - Keikhefer (2-1)
LP - Kenyon (0-2)