March 28, 2009
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IOWA CITY, IA — The Iowa baseball team snapped a seven-game losing streak to the defending Big Ten champion Michigan Wolverines with a 2-1 pitching dual victory Saturday at Duane Banks Field. The start time was moved up an hour in hopes of avoiding wintry weather–due to the cold and breezy weather the game was a pitching and defensive battle. Today marked first time since 2006 that the Hawkeyes have held Michigan to a lone run.
“Jarred [Hippen] has been throwing great his past couple outings and today was no exception,” Head Coach Jack Dahm said. “I wish we could have gotten the win for him, but he had tremendous composure and has a great feel for the game and it showed out there.”
In his first start as a Hawkeye, true freshman Jarred Hippen went six and two-third innings in a no decision. Hippen struck out a season-high nine Wolverines and scattered five hits and allowed only one earned run. Steve Turnbull faced five batters and picked up the win, only allowing one hit and striking out two in the seventh and eighth innings. Closer Mike Schurz earned his third save of the season, retiring the Wolverines in order in the ninth. Iowa’s three pitchers accounted for a combined 12 strikeouts, which is one shy of a team season high (13 vs. South Alabama on Feb. 28).
“Our bullpen did a great job for us today,” Dahm said. “Steve Turnbull found a way to keep his composure out there after they plated one and got the win. Mike Schurz also did great, coming in and throwing only nine pitches. He is now available to throw tomorrow, so that is great.”
Justin Toole led the Hawkeyes, going 2-for-3 with one RBI and extending his hitting streak to nine games. Tyson Blaser went 1-for-2 with a walk. Kevin Hoef went 1-for-4 with a run scored.
The Hawkeyes (9-11, 1-1) broke the scoreboard first, taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. With two out, Ryan Durant drew a walk, stole second and scored on a bloop RBI single up the middle by Toole.
Michigan (16-6, 1-1) plated one on two outs in the top of the seventh to tie it up 1-1.
Iowa’s offense was patient in the seventh, forcing two Wolverine pitching changes and reclaimed the lead with a 2-1 score. Hoef led things off with a bunt single to first and was moved to second on a Chett Zeise sacrifice bunt. Blaser walked; one batter later Toole was intentionally walked to load the bases. The Hawkeyes scored the game-winning run on a two-out wild pitch by Michigan reliever Tyler Burgoon.
Iowa will play Michigan in the rubber game of the series tomorrow. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at Duane Banks Field.
GAME SUMMARYMichigan 000 000 100 - 1 6 0Iowa 000 010 10x - 2 6 0
WP - Turnbull (1-0)LP - Katzman (3-2)SV - Schurz (3)