March 27, 2010
IOWA CITY, IA – The University of Iowa baseball team plated three runs in the bottom of the ninth to capture a thrilling, come-from-behind 10-9 victory over Western Illinois this afternoon at Duane Banks Field. The win is Iowa’s third consecutive victory and second straight win in its final at-bat.
Freshman Mike Corbeil came up with a huge game-winning pinch-hit two-RBI single with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth to top the Leathernecks. It was only Corbeil’s second hit of the season.
“I’m proud of the way we were able to come back and win after allowing two runs in the top of the ninth,” said Iowa Head Coach Jack Dahm. “I’m a little more pleased with today’s win, but we need to put games away. Western Illinois has nothing to lose and tomorrow will be a tough game for us.”
Trailing by two in the ninth, McQuillan starting the frame with a hit by a pitch, Sean Flanagan singled, Dan Sheppard walked and Dallas Burke picked up a pinch-hit bases loaded RBI walk. Corbeil then came up with the bases loaded and drove home Flanagan and Sheppard and the Hawkeyes swarmed the freshman between first and second base celebrating the big win.
“Mike [Corbeil] had a great approach to stay with the pitch and hot the ball the other way for the game-winning single,” said Dahm.
Kurtis Muller went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, an RBI and three stolen bases. Sheppard also recorded a multi-hit day, going 2-for-4 with an RBI. Seven other Hawkeyes registered a base hit.
Iowa (7-12) plated three in the first frame to lead, 3-0. The inning featured a Muller leadoff single, stolen base and run scored. Sheppard picked up a two-out RBI single.
Western Illinois (5-14) scored two in the third to make the score, 3-2.
The Hawkeyes posted another three-spot in the fourth to increase their lead, 6-2. Host led off with a walk, stole second and scored on a Muller single. Zach McCool singled and Muller later stole home. McCool was brought in by way a Ryan Durant RBI, Leatherneck error.
The Leathernecks played catch-up in the fifth and knotted it at 6-6. The Western Illinois offense took a one-run lead, 7-6, in the seventh.
Iowa tied it up, 7-7, in the seventh. With Durant on second base by way of a one-out double, Tyson Blaser came up big in his first pinch hitting opportunity of the season. Blaser singled and Durant scored on a Leatherneck fielding error.
Western Illinois scored two runs in the top of the ninth on a bases loaded single up the middle on a full count off Hawkeye reliever Kevin Lee. Lee would ultimately earn his first win of the year.
Zach Kenyon got the start, going five innings, allowing six runs on nine hits with two strikeouts. He got a no decision. The bullpen featured Jeff Pacha, Patrick Schatz and Lee.
The Hawkeyes will face Western Illinois in the finale of a three-game series tomorrow. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.