April 2, 2010
EAST LANSING, MI – Sophomore Jarred Hippen threw a nine-inning complete-game gem in leading the Iowa baseball team to a thrilling 5-3 victory over Michigan State Friday afternoon in the conference opener at McLane Stadium. Iowa has now won six of its last seven games and snapped Michigan State’s 11-game win streak. The victory is Iowa’s first conference-opening win since a 9-5 triumph over Michigan in 2003.
“It’s good to get that first Big Ten win against a high-energy team,” said Iowa Head Coach Jack Dahm. “This was a typical Friday game in the Big Ten. Jarred is one gutsy kid. You saw the maturing of Jarred Hippen today. He pitched a great game. When Michigan State tied the game, we should character and composure in making the plays needed to win the game.”
Hippen earned his second win of the year, tossing his first career complete game; his previous long was eight and two thirds in Iowa’s win over Rutgers earlier this year. The sophomore allowed only three hits, one walk and scattered seven hits, while striking out two. Hippen’s complete game is the first by a Hawkeye, in a nine-inning game, since Nathan Johnson on May 14, 2004 vs. Purdue.
Iowa (10-13, 1-0) was efficient with its hits, scoring five runs on only five hits. Mike McQuillan was 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored. Ryan Durant went 2-for-4, with both hits being RBI doubles that scored three runs, including the game-winner.
The Hawkeyes got on the board first on a two-RBI double off the bat of Durant down the right field line to score Dallas Burke and McQuillan in the top of the first frame.
Michigan State (17-5, 0-1) plated its first run in the bottom of the second. Ryan Jones tripled to right field and then crossed home plate on an RBI-groundout by Chris Roberts.
Iowa extended its lead to 3-1 in the fifth inning. Trevor Willis led off with a hit-by-pitch. Kurt Lee reached on a fielder’s choice. After a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners, McQuillan scored Willis on an RBI-groundout.
The Spartans tied the game with a run in the sixth and seventh innings. Michigan State plated its second tally on a Jonathon Roof sacrifice fly in the sixth and the game-tying run on a Torsten Boss RBI single to left in the seventh.
Iowa regained control in the top of the eighth, scoring two huge runs. Durant collected his third RBI on his second double of the game. Two batters later, Durant scored Iowa’s fifth run on a perfectly executed safety squeeze off the bat of Andrew Host.
Willis made a big defensive play in the bottom of the eighth to thwart a Michigan State scoring opportunity. Willis collected his fourth outfield-assist, and second in as many games, gunning down Jeff Holm at second base after he singled to left to end the inning.
Iowa and Michigan State will continue their weekend three-game series tomorrow at Noon (CST).