Hawkeyes Win Third Straight in Thrilling Fashion

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March 6, 2011

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STARKVILLE, Miss. – – The Iowa baseball team won its third straight game Sunday afternoon on a walk-off bases loaded RBI single off the bat of senior Kurt Lee, giving the Hawkeyes a thrilling 3-2 victory over Georgia State. The game was played at Dudy Noble Field on the campus of Mississippi State.

With the game tied, Andrew Ewing led off the bottom of the ninth with his second hit of the contest with a single to right field. Two batters later, Andrew Host laced a double to left center, putting two runners in scoring position and only one out. Georgia State (9-3) chose to intentionally walk Chett Zeise to set up the double play, but Lee delivered with the game-winning hit to right field.

“I thought we played a good game today after playing late last night and having an early start today,” said Iowa Head Coach Jack Dahm. “I’m very proud of the way our guys played today. Our starting pitching was outstanding all three days. This is a nice step for our program to win this tournament.”

Senior Trevor Willis had another outstanding day for the Hawkeyes. The lead-off hitter had his third consecutive multi-hit game, this time collecting two hits, to a go along with two runs scored and a pair of stolen bases. In three games this weekend, Willis hit a blistering .647 (11-17), scored six runs and swiped three bases, including a steal of home in a double steal. He scored two runs in each of Iowa’s three victories.

“Trevor had a great weekend in all phases of the game,” Dahm said. “He set the tone from an offensive stand point creating scoring opportunities for us, and he also made some great defensive plays.”

For the third straight game, Iowa (4-5) scored a run in its first at-bat. Willis led off with a single to left and later scored on a wild pitch.

Willis helped engineer the Hawkeyes’ second run, as well. Willis led off the third frame with another single. After a sacrifice bunt, Willis stole third and then scored on a Mike McQuillan sacrifice fly to push Iowa’s lead to 2-0.

Matt Dermody had another solid outing for the Hawkeyes throwing six and two thirds, allowing two runs on only two hits, while striking out seven. The sophomore threw six innings of no-hit baseball before Brandon Williams broke up the no-hit bid with a single to center to lead off the seventh. Dermody would ultimately surrender a game-tying, two-RBI single with two outs before exiting the game. Junior Patrick Lala entered in relief and retired his first batter to keep the contest tied at 2-2.

Lala pitched the final two and a third innings, allowing no runs, while striking out two en route to his first victory of the year.

Iowa returns to action Friday when it travels to Lubbock, Texas to play Texas Tech. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.