Hawkeyes Cruise Past Coe College, 14-1

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April 6, 2011

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IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa baseball team won its second straight game Wednesday night, defeating Coe College at Duane Banks Field, 14-1. The Hawkeyes have scored 33 runs over their last two games.

The 33 runs mark the most Iowa has scored over two games since the 2009 season when it tallied 35 runs in back-to-back wins over Tennessee-Martin (25-6) and Austin Peay (10-3).

“Overall, offensively, defensively and on the mound, we had a very solid effort,” said Iowa Head Coach Jack Dahm. “It was good to get a lot of guys out there tonight. I like where we are at. We need to keep playing solid baseball.”

Three Hawkeyes (Phil Keppler, Keith Brand, Kyle Haen) recorded multi-hit games and three (Keppler, Brand, Zach McCool) collected multiple RBI games. Keppler, went 3-for-4, with a game-high four RBIs and a home run. The four RBIs equal a career high. Brand went 2-for-5 with two RBIs while McCool also notched two RBIs.

With no score in the bottom of the second, the Hawkeyes pushed across three runs. Iowa took advantage of two hits and aggressive base running to grab the early lead.

The Black and Gold added to their lead in the bottom of the third. The Hawkeyes sent eight batters to the plate, tallying four runs on four hits. Brand and McCool each tallied two RBIs in the frame.

The Kohawks recorded their only run in the top of the fourth, making the score 7-1.

In the bottom of the sixth, Keppler launched a three-run home run deep to right, pushing the Hawkeye lead to 10-1. The junior’s first long ball of the year scored Andrew Host and Andrew Ewing. Iowa added four more runs in the eighth, extending its lead to 14-1. The Hawkeyes notched four hits in the frame, and Haen recorded his first career RBI.

Ricky Sandquist earned his first career Hawkeye victory. The sophomore starter pitched six strong innings, yielding only one run on five hits. He struck out three Kohawks. Zach Kenyon, Kevin Lee, and Keppler pitched scoreless seventh, eighth and ninth innings, respectively, to close out the win for Iowa. Kenyon came back from injury to pitch for the first time since March 13.

“I was very happy with Ricky’s performance tonight,” said Dahm. “I thought he did an outstanding job. It was good to see Zach (Kenyon), Kevin (Lee) and Phil (Keppler) go out there and shut the door.”

Coe starter Josh Gordon took the loss. He surrendered three runs on two hits in two innings. He was one of three Kohawk pitchers to see action.

Iowa (11-15, 1-2) continues Big Ten conference action Friday when it travels to Illinois for a three-game set. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. The Hawkeyes and Fighting Illini will also play Saturday at 6:05 p.m. and Sunday at 1:05 p.m. Saturday’s contest will be televised live by the Big Ten Network.