April 17, 2010
BLOOMINGTON, IN – The University of Iowa baseball team fought back to tie the game in the ninth, but ultimately fall 4-3, in 10 innings, to Indiana in the nightcap of Saturday’s twinbill at Sembower Field.
Iowa had the tying runners on base in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings before ultimately plating the tying run in the ninth. Trailing 3-1, the Hawkeyes loaded the bases with one out. Dallas Burke collected a single, Kurtis Muller reached base on a fielding error by the shortstop and Zach McCool walked. Mike McQuillan recorded an RBI groundout to first, to plate Burke to make the score 3-2. With two outs and runners on second and third, Ryan Durant stepped to the plate and hit a clutch RBI single to left field to score Muller for the game-tying score. With McCool standing on third representing the leading run, Sean Flanagan struck out swinging.
Indiana won the game in the bottom of the 10th inning on Iowa’s only fielding error of the contest. With runners on first and second and one out, Hawkeye reliever Zach Kenyon induced a groundball to shortstop. Chett Ziese flipped the ball to McQuillan, who attempted to quickly catch and throw for a possible double play, but dropped the ball and Jerrod Sabourin rounded third and crossed home plate for the victory.
“This was a tough game to lose,” said Iowa Head Coach Jack Dahm. “Our guys really battled, but we need to do a better job offensively and make better decisions. I thought our pitching staff did a great job all day against a very talented offensive team. We just didn’t swing the bat well today, especially with runners in scoring position.”
Iowa (13-18, 3-5) scored the first run of the game in the top of the first inning on three singles. With two outs and runners on first and second, Phil Keppler singled through the right side to plate McCool to give the visitors the early 1-0 lead.
The game remained 1-0 until the bottom of the fourth when the Hoosiers plated two runs on three hits. Both Indiana (18-15, 4-4) runs were scored via sacrifice flies. Back-to-back doubles plated another run in the sixth frame.
Phil Schreiber pitched six and two-third innings, allowed three runs on nine hits and struck out three in a no-decision. Iowa’s bullpen featured Zach Robertson and Kenyon. The duo combined to sit down eight straight Hoosiers until Kenyon allowed a double, intentional walk and the game-winning run to score on McQuillan’s error in the 10th. Kenyon got the hard-luck loss.
Indiana reliever Chris Squires, who earned the save in game one, pitched the last four and one-third innings, allowing two runs, while striking out six earned the win. Starter Jonny Hoffman got a no-decision, allowing only one run on five hits in five innings of work.
Trevor Willis and McCool each collected two singles each to lead the Hawkeyes offensively.
Iowa’s pitching staff did a good job Saturday against an Indiana squad that averaged 9.2 runs in its first six conference games. The Hawkeyes held the Hoosiers to four runs in both contests today.
The Hawkeyes and Hoosiers will conclude their three-game series tomorrow with a single-game at 12:05 p.m. (CDT) at Sembower Field.