Feb. 28, 2010
CLEARWATER, FL — The University of Iowa baseball team trampled Villanova, 11-2, Sunday afternoon at Jack Russell Stadium. The Hawkeyes led the entire game, scoring in five innings and keeping the undefeated Wildcats scoreless in eight.
Southpaw Zach Robertson got his second win of the year, going a quality five and one-third innings and allowing only two runs on six hits with six strike outs. Today was the starting rotation’s third straight game with a pitcher going five or more innings. The bullpen featured righty Zach Kenyon, he pitched two and two-third innings allowing no runs on three hits with two strikeouts. Freshman Ricky Sandquist earned his first collegiate action, striking out two in the ninth.
The Hawkeye offense smashed 16 hits, one shy of its season record (17, against Illinois State). In the offensive explosion 10 batters reached base, eight crossed the plate and four recorded extra base hits–two of which were round trippers.
The Black and Gold was led by Ryan Durant, offensively. He was red hot, going 4-for-5 with a home run and three RBI. Kurtis Muller continued his hitting streak to 16 games, dating back to the end of last season. He went 3-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBI. Andew Ewing went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and a walk. Trevor Willis went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a double. Kurt Lee went 1-for-3 with three RBI, including a sacrifice fly.
Iowa (3-2) scored first, plating one in the first. Muller led off with a single up the middle, followed by a McQuillan single through the right side. Muller scored on a Durant RBI single to right.
The Hawkeye offense took advantage of a Villanova error in the second, to lead, 2-0. With one out, Willis singled up the middle, advanced to second on a wild pitch and was moved to third on a ground out. Iowa took advantage of a Wildcat error and Willis scored.
Villanova (5-1) manufactured a run in the third, taking advantage of a bunt and a balk . The Wildcats scored one more in the sixth to trail 8-2. The inning featured a David Kaczirka double and run scored.
The Black and Gold broke open the game, scoring five in the fourth. The inning put Iowa up, 7-2, and featured five hits, including a Willis double and a two-run bomb to left field off Durant’s bat.
Iowa added an insurance run in the fifth, to lead 8-2. Tyson Blaser walked, Ewing reached on an infield single, moving Blaser to third. Lee grounded out, but drove in Blaser.
The Hawkeye offense extended its lead to 11-2, in the seventh. The inning featured a Sean Flanagan leadoff solo shot, an Andrew Host pinch-hit double and a Lee sacrifice fly.
The Hawkeyes will return to action with a four-game series against Kansas in Lawrence, KS. First pitch is set for Friday, Mar. 5 at 3 p.m.