April 4, 2010
EAST LANSING, MI — Michigan State won the final contest of the three-game series Sunday afternoon, 26-11, at McLane Stadium to win the series.
Zach McCool led Iowa’s offense, going 5-for-6 with two doubles, three runs scored and a stolen base. McCool’s five hits tied an Iowa single game record. The last Hawkeye to record five was Justin Toole in 2008 (vs. UNI, 5-for-5).
“Zach (McCool) has worked hard and his swing has gotten better this year,” Head Coach Jack Dahm said. “He has got a grittiness and toughness about him and we need him in the lineup.”
Mike McQuillan also recorded a multi-hit game, going 3-for-6 with an RBI and run. Ryan Durant drove in three runs and Trevor Willis went 2-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI.
The Hawkeyes played catch up in the top of the ninth, batting around the order, plating nine to lose, 26-11. Iowa scattered eight hits, capitalized on one Spartan error. McCool had a two hit, and two RBI performance. Willis recorded both of his hits of the game, as well as his RBI in the ninth. Doubles from Durant and Sean Flanagan also highlighted the inning.
“My biggest thing is that we played three outstanding innings, unfortunately, baseball games are nine,” Dahm said. “At the end of the day, we are where half the league is. It makes no difference if we lost big or by one. We picked up one against a tough team this weekend and now we have to get ourselves prepared for Tuesday. We can’t take Western Illinois lightly, it will be tough game.”
Iowa’s offense got going early in the first to take a 1-0 lead. McCool hit a leadoff double, advanced to third on a McQuillan single and scored on a Keppler groundout.
The Spartans (19-5, 2-1) knotted it, 1-1, in the second. The inning featured a Chris Roberts double and run scored.
The Hawkeyes (10-15, 1-2) took back the lead in the third, 2-1. McCool hit his second leadoff double of the afternoon, later stole third and scored on a Durant sacrifice fly.
Michigan State tied it up, 2-2, in the bottom of the third. The Spartans broke it open in the fourth frame, knocking in six runs. They added 12 in the fifth, four in the seventh and two in the eighth. Michigan State’s offense scattered 31 hits and were led by Brandon Eckerle and Jeff Holm. The duo combined to go 10-for-12, with 10 RBI, seven runs scored, a homer and stolen base.
Iowa starter Phil Schreiber got the loss, tossing three and two-third innings and allowing seven earned runs on 11 hits. The bullpen featured: Nick Brown, Jeff Pacha, Michael Jacobs and Kevin Lee.
The Hawkeyes and Spartans finished game two of the series before the start of today’s third game. Michigan State captured game two, 16-2. The game was suspended in the top of the eighth inning due to heavy rain. Zach Kenyon got the loss for Iowa, while Kurt Wunderlich earned his fifth victory.
Iowa returns to action Tuesday against Western Illinois at Duane Banks Field. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.