Hawkeyes Rally to Stun Ohio State in Game 2

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May 14, 2011

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COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Iowa baseball team stunned Ohio State Saturday in 10 innings, 9-8. Trailing 8-4 in the top of the ninth inning, the Hawkeyes plated four runs to send the game to extras before scoring the game-winning run in the 10th inning. The game was played at Bill Davis Stadium on the campus of Ohio State.

Iowa (20-27, 9-11) has claimed the first two games of the three-game set to earn its second-consecutive Big Ten series victory. The Hawkeyes, winners of five of their last six conference games, are a half game out of sixth place with four games to play. The top six teams qualify for the Big Ten Tournament.

“Today was a great win,” said head coach Jack Dahm. “We are swinging the bats really well in key situations. It was a great effort by our guys. It was a team effort; everybody did a good job. We have to get refocused and need another team effort again tomorrow.”

The Black and Gold pounded out 13 hits in the victory. Iowa moves to 14-4 when recording more hits than its opponent. Eight Hawkeyes tallied a base hit and five recorded an RBI. Seniors Tyson Blaser and Kurt Lee and junior Chett Zeise tallied multi-hit games. Blaser went 3-for-4 with an RBI. Zeise went 2-for-4 with an RBI. Lee went 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored. Junior Phil Keppler recorded two RBI. Iowa also notched seven walks.

Ohio State (22-24, 10-10) struck first with a run in the bottom of the first inning. Iowa answered with a run of its own in the top of the second, tying the game at 1-1.

The Hawkeyes tallied three runs in the top of the fourth to take a 4-1 lead. The Buckeyes cut the Iowa lead to 4-3 with one run in both the fourth and fifth innings.

Ohio State grabbed an 8-4 lead, scoring four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning and one run in the bottom of the eighth.

Iowa tied the contest with four runs in a wild top of the ninth inning. Lee led off the frame with a single through the left side followed by a Trevor Willis walk. With one away, Mike McQuillan drew a free pass to load the bases. Taylor Zeutenhorst then walked to push home a run and make the score 8-5. Blaser followed with a single to center to cut the lead to 8-6. With the bases loaded, Zeise singled to center to score two and send the game to extra innings.

In the top of the 10th inning, Lee started the frame with another hit, this time a single to left center. Lee then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Willis. Zach McCool followed with a single to left to push home the game-winning run and give Iowa the 9-8 victory.

Matt Dermody started for Iowa and took a no decision. The sophomore allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits in six innings pitched. He struck out four.

Tim Fangman earned the win for the Hawkeyes. The reliever pitched three and two-thirds innings. He allowed two runs on three hits while striking out five.

Theron Minium took the loss for Ohio State. The senior allowed one run over an inning and two-thirds.

Iowa has won its last two one-run decisions and extra-inning games (Penn State, May 8).

The Hawkeyes will go for the sweep Sunday in the series finale. First pitch is scheduled for 12:05 p.m. (CT) at Bill Davis Stadium.