Hawkeyes Roll Southern Utah

Feb. 28, 2011

Box Score

LAWRENCE, Kan. — The Iowa baseball team defeated Southern Utah Monday in Lawrence, Kan., 8-3. A strong combination of pitching, hitting and defense propelled the Hawkeyes to their first win. The Black and Gold gave up only three runs on five hits, committed no errors, and tied a season-high with 10 hits.

The Hawkeyes (1-3) struck early and often, plating a run in the top of the second and top of the third. Andrew Ewing walked to start the second, and was later singled home by Bryan Niedbalski. Niedbalski, a freshman, had a big day in his first career start, going three-for-four with two doubles, a walk and an RBI.

Leading 1-0 in the top of the third, Andrew Host walked to get the inning started. He would later score on a fielder’s choice hit by Mike McQuillan.

Iowa notched three runs in the fifth. With one out, Kurt Lee walked. Trevor Willis tripled to score Lee. Willis scored on a single to right by McQuillan. With two outs in the frame, Ewing singled to center to score McQuillan, pushing the Hawkeye lead to 5-0.

Iowa starter Jarred Hippen was replaced by senior Zach Kenyon to start the bottom of the fifth. Southern Utah (4-2) tallied three in the bottom half, to make the score 5-3. The Hawkeyes answered, tallying a run in the sixth, seventh and eighth, making the final score 8-3.

Hippen got the win in his second outing of the season, going four innings, allowing no hits and no runs. The junior righty struck out four. Hippen earned the win, despite only pitching four innings, because he was on a predetermined pitch count. After a tough first inning of work in the fifth, Kenyon held Southern Utah scoreless over the final four frames.

Iowa returns to action later today when it plays at Kansas. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m. (CT).