Zeutenhorst, Hawkeyes Walk-off Against Penn State

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May 8, 2011

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IOWA CITY, Iowa — The Iowa baseball team defeated Penn State Sunday afternoon at Duane Banks Field in walk-off fashion, 2-1 in ten innings. The Hawkeyes claimed two-of-three in their Big Ten home series finale, capturing their first conference series win of the season.

Iowa trailed 1-0 before claiming a run in the bottom of the eighth inning and the game-winner in the bottom of the tenth. The victory ends Iowa’s five-game losing skid in one-run decisions. The Hawkeyes are only one game out of sixth place; the top six teams qualify for the Big Ten Tournament.

“It was a good win for our guys,” said head coach Jack Dahm. “Patrick (Lala) was outstanding on the mound today. (Tim) Fangman was tremendous also. It was a good job by (Taylor) Zeutenhorst and our seniors in the tenth.”

Iowa won the game in the bottom of the tenth as three seniors led the charge on “Senior Day”. Kurt Lee beat out an infield single to lead off the frame. Senior Trevor Willis laid down a successful sacrifice to move Lee to second. Senior Zach McCool then singled to right, putting runners at the corners. Penn State then intentionally walked junior Mike McQuillan. With the bases loaded and one away, freshman Taylor Zeutenhorst delivered the game-winning RBI single back up the middle, his second of the contest. The native of Sheldon, Iowa has recorded seven two-out RBI in the last six games.

“I was just thinking about a good outcome, visualizing a good result,” said Zeutenhorst on his tenth inning game-winning at-bat.

Chett Zeise and Zeutenhorst led the Iowa offense. Zeise tallied his tenth multi-hit game of the year, going 2-for-3 with a walk. Zeutenhorst went 2-for-4 with a walk and both Hawkeye RBI.

Penn State (26-18, 8-10) grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the third. Centerfielder Sean Deegan hit his league-leading eighth home run over the right field fence to give the Nittany Lions the early advantage. That run would be all the Hawkeye pitching staff would allow.

Iowa (18-27, 7-11) equaled the score at one in the bottom of the eighth. Willis led off the frame with a perfect bunt single. With two outs in the innings and Willis on third, Zeutenhorst singled back up the middle to tie the game at 1-1.

Patrick Lala started for Iowa, recording his second strong start in as many outings. After notching the win at Minnesota last Sunday, the junior took a no decision against Penn State. He pitched seven stellar innings, allowing one run on six hits. He struck out four.

Tim Fangman, appearing for the third time in as many games, recorded the win for Iowa. The reliever tossed three scoreless innings, while striking out two.

Penn State’s Mike Franklin started and went eight innings. He took a no decision. Neal Herring took the loss for the Nittany Lions.

Iowa continues Big Ten action next weekend at Ohio State. The Buckeyes and Hawkeyes will play a three-game set beginning Friday at 5:35 p.m. in Columbus, Ohio. The two teams will also square-off Saturday at 2:05 p.m. and Sunday at 12:05 p.m. All times listed are central.