Hawkeyes Dominate Michigan State, 19-7

April 3, 2011

Box Score

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IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa baseball team dominated Michigan State Sunday afternoon at Duane Banks Field, 19-7. The Hawkeyes recorded season highs in runs and hits (17). Iowa tallied 10 runs in the seventh inning, earning its first conference win of the year.

The 19 runs mark the most the Hawkeyes have scored since defeating Illinois State in last year’s season opener, 19-11. It also marks the most runs Iowa has scored against a conference opponent since defeating Wisconsin in 1989, 22-3.

“We got back to playing Hawkeye baseball,” said Iowa Head Coach Jack Dahm. “We played good defense, were aggressive on the bases, and had good at-bats. It looked like a different team on both sides. That was a big game for us. It is good to get that first conference win. We want to keep this momentum going into next week.”

Six Hawkeyes (Kurt Lee, Mike McQuillan, Tyson Blaser, Phil Keppler, Trevor Willis, Chett Zeise) recorded multi-hit games and five (McQuillan, Blaser, Keppler, Zeise, Keith Brand) collected multiple RBI games. McQuillan, who leads Iowa with 10 multiple hit games this season, went 3-for-6 with two RBIs. Blaser was 3-for-4 with two RBIs, extending his hitting streak to six games. Brand led the Hawkeyes with three RBIs.

With no score in the bottom of the third, the Hawkeyes pushed across three runs. With one away, freshman Bryan Niedbalski doubled to right, scoring Keppler. Brand then singled up the middle, scoring Niedbalski from second. Brand scored on an RBI groundout by Willis.

Trailing 3-0, Michigan State (17-7, 2-1) responded with two runs in the top of the third inning. The Spartans loaded the bases with no outs. Michigan State recorded their first run on a double play and then recorded a two-out single to make the score 3-2.

The Spartans took a 5-3 lead in the top of the fourth with three runs on three hits. Iowa answered in the bottom of the fifth, tallying three runs to regain the lead. The Hawkeyes recorded two hits and took advantage of a Michigan State error to take a 6-5 lead.

The Hawkeyes added three runs in the bottom of the sixth, extending their lead to 9-5. Lee walked to begin the frame. With one out, McQuillan doubled to left center to score Lee. Blaser, recorded his first career triple to bring home McQuillan. Keppler then launched a sacrifice fly to the warning track in center, scoring Blaser.

Iowa added to its lead in the seventh with 10 runs, sending 14 batters to the plate. The Hawkeyes used five hits and two Michigan State errors to put the game out of reach at 19-5. Two Hawkeyes, Willis and Andrew Host, scored twice in the frame.

Matt Dermody earned his second win of the year. The sophomore starter pitched five innings, allowing five runs on eight hits. He struck out five Spartans.

Patrick Lala earned his first save as a Hawkeye. The junior pitched four innings, allowing two runs and two hits. He struck out four Spartans.

Michigan State starter David Garner took the loss. He surrendered six runs on nine hits in four and a third innings. He was one of seven Spartan pitchers to see action.

Iowa (10-15, 1-2) will face Coe Wednesday night at Duane Banks Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. Admission is $3 for adults and is free for UI students and youths.