May 5, 2009
IOWA CITY – The Iowa baseball team snapped an eight-game losing streak with an 11-4 triumph over University Wisconsin-Milwaukee Tuesday night at Duane Banks Field. The Black and Gold offense pounded out 14 hits and collected six walks and a hit-by-pitch, scored in five consecutive innings and eight different Hawkeyes recorded a hit.
The Black and Gold right-hander Zack Kenyon got the start and his first win of the year. Kenyon pitched a season-best six and two-third innings and allowed two runs, one unearned on only four Panther hits. Patrick Schatz pitched two and one-third innings of relief picking up his first career save.
“I thought Zach [Kenyon] really threw the ball well tonight,” said Head Coach Jack Dahm. “He’s gaining confidence and this is something he can build off of. His tempo and rhythm was much better tonight. He’s definitely showing progress.”
The Iowa offense was led by Kurtis Muller going 2-for-4 with two RBI, two runs scored and two stolen bases. Phil Keppler went 2-for-4 with a double, triple and three RBI. Ryan Durant went 3-for-5 and Dallas Burke went 2-for-3 with two walks.
“We did a good job of executing with runners in scoring position,” added Dahm. “We did a good job of laying some bunts down and also showed some power at the plate tonight.”
The Hawkeyes (15-30) broke the board in the bottom of the fourth to lead 2-0. With two out, Sean Flanagan reached on a fielder’s choice and Mike McQuillan got on with a walk. Wes Freie followed suite with one of his three walks to load the bases. Keppler hit the ball in play and reached on a throwing error by the pitcher to bring in two unearned.
Iowa added two insurance runs in the fifth for a 4-0 score. Trevor Willis hit a leadoff triple and later scored on a passed ball. Muller singled through the left side, stole second and moved to third on a Burke single to right. Muller scored on a double play ground out by Durant.
The Panthers (21-22) plated one in the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth innings to ultimately fall, 11-4.
In the sixth, the home team took advantage of a Keppler double and a two-run Muller homer to extend its lead, 6-1. The Hawkeyes added another run in the seventh frame for a 7-2 ballgame on a Chett Zeise sacrifice fly. Iowa’s offense kept at it in the eighth, scoring four additional runs. The eighth featured Keppler bases clearing three-RBI triple to right center.
Iowa will host Western Illinois tomorrow at Duane Banks field. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.
Game SummaryUW-Milwaukee 000 001 111 -- 4 6 1Iowa 000 222 14X -- 11 14 1
WP - Kenyon (1-3)LP - Caldwell (0-4)SV - Schatz (1)