March 27, 2009
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IOWA CITY, IA — The Iowa baseball team fell to Michigan in the late innings, 4-3, Friday at Duane Banks Field in both team’s Big Ten opener. After scoring the first three runs of the game, Michigan scored the final four to escape with the win. Three of Iowa’s last five contests against the Wolverines have been a one-run decision.
The Hawkeyes jumped to an early lead in the first; however Michigan pitcher Kevin Fetter silenced the Iowa offense allowing only one hit in the next eight innings. Fetter threw his first of complete game the season to earn his fourth victory.
To lead Iowa’s offense was Mike McQuillan going 2-for-4 with a run scored. Kevin Hoef led the team with two RBI and a double. Justin Toole continued his hitting streak to eight games.
“Tonight was a good college baseball game and unfortunately we came up short,” said Iowa Head Coach Jack Dahm. “We didn’t make many mistakes tonight, but the mistakes we did make they (Michigan) capitalized on them. Nick Brown was strong and made a lot of special pitches tonight. He pitched very, very well.”
Brown, who is a true freshman, started his fourth game of the season for the Hawkeyes tonight. Brown was dealing early, striking out three in the first inning. While Brown got the no decision, he went seven strong innings, striking out five and allowing only one earned run.
The Hawkeyes (8-11) took a 3-0 first-inning advantage, scoring all three with two outs. McQuillan started off with a one-out single to left field. One batter later, Wes Freie drew a walk to put runners on first and second. T.J. Cataldo, who came up to the plate hitting .385 with runners in scoring position, picked up his 22nd RBI of the season with a single up the middle. Runners advanced to second and third on a wild pitch, and both scored on a two-RBI double by Hoef.
Michigan (15-6) played catch up in the first, plating two unearned runs for a 3-2 score. The Wolverines tied up the game at 3-3 in the fifth, with a Mike Dufek RBI double. Dufek finished the game 2-for-3 with two walks and an RBI.
Michigan scored the game-winning run in the eighth without a hit. Kevin Cislo collected a sac fly to center field after Hawkeye reliever Patrick Schatz loaded the bases on two hit-batsmen and a walk. Schatz got the loss, his first of the year.
Iowa will play Michigan in game two of the series tomorrow; first pitch is set for 1 p.m. at Duane Banks Field.
GAME SUMMARY
Michigan 020 010 010 - 4 8 0
Iowa 300 000 000 - 3 5 1
WP - Fetter (4-1)
LP - Schatz (1-1)