May 10, 2009
IOWA CITY – The Iowa baseball team beat Penn State, 5-3, today in the final game of a three-game series at Duane Banks Field. Today was “Senior Day”, as the Hawkeyes honored eight seniors before the contest. A four-spot in the bottom of the seventh inning helped snapped Iowa’s eight-game losing skid in the Big Ten.
Starter Jarred Hippen went a career-high seven one-third innings and earned the victory, his third of the year. He allowed only three runs, one earned, on four hits with six strikeouts. Hippen’s teammates helped the freshman southpaw with their defense, registering three double plays the first three innings. The Iowa bullpen featured Steve Turnbull, who went the final one and two-third innings, collecting a save and three strikeouts.
Seven of the nine Hawkeyes starters laced a hit in today’s contest. Ryan Durant led Iowa going 3-for-4 with an RBI and extending his hit streak to eight games. Also, today marked Durant’s seventh three-hit game of the season. Wes Freie went 2-for-4 with an RBI. Kurtis Muller continued his hit streak to nine games and Mike McQuillan extended his hit streak to 10.
“This was a good win for us,” said Head Coach Jack Dahm. “The seventh inning was a big inning that won the ballgame for us. Jarred [Hippen] and Steve [Turnbull} were fantastic today. Jarred had good command of his pitches and Steve did an excellent job blowing pitches by his hitters in the eighth and ninth innings.”
Iowa (16-32, 4-16) scored in the first, taking advantage of a Penn State error to lead 1-0. With one out, Burke singled to center. Durant roped a double to left center and Burke scored on a fielding miscue by the left fielder.
Penn State (24-23, 7-14) took a 2-1 lead in the sixth. A Mike Deese RBI single and a costly Hawkeye error brought in the two runs.
The Hawkeyes were pesky in the seventh, scoring four to take back the lead, 5-2. Flanagan singled to left to start things off for Iowa. Chett Zeise attempted to bunt him over but wore one, as did Trevor Willis to load the bases. Muller drew an RBI walk to force a pitching change and tie the game. Burke hit a chopper back to the pitcher to drive in another run. Durant hit a bloop RBI single and one batter later Freie hit an RBI single to left.
The visitors plated one run in the top of the eighth to cut the Iowa advantage to 5-3. Penn State had the tying run at second base, but Turnbull struck out the last two batters to thwart the Nittany Lion scoring threat. The senior silenced the Nittany Lion batters in the ninth to record his second save of the season.
The Hawkeyes will conclude their season Thursday-Saturday against Ohio State at Columbus, OH. First pitch is set for Thursday at 5:30 p.m.
Game Summary
Penn State 000 002 010 -- 3 4 1
Iowa 100 000 40X -- 5 11 3
WP - Hippen (3-4)
LP - Kelley (4-5)
SV - Turnbull (2)