Hawkeyes Lose Heartbreaker to Hokies in Myrtle Beach

Stats

Feb. 26, 2012

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CONWAY, S.C. — The University of Iowa baseball team lost a heartbreaker to Virginia Tech Sunday, 4-3. The Hawkeyes led until the ninth inning, when Virginia Tech pushed across three runs in the final frame to take the one-run victory. The game was played at Charles Watson Stadium on the campus of Coastal Carolina University as part of the 13th Annual Caravelle Resort Baseball at the Beach Tournament.

After four scoreless innings to begin the game, the Hawkeyes (1-5) struck first with two in the top of the fifth. Three true freshmen got it started for Iowa. Jake Yacinich singled up the middle to lead off the frame. Kris Goodman then doubled down the left field line. With runners at second and third and no outs, Eric Toole hit a sacrifice fly to left center to score Yacinich and give Iowa a 1-0 lead. With one away and Goodman on third, senior Chett Zeise tallied a sacrifice fly to right center to score Goodman and give the Black and Gold a 2-0 advantage.

Freshman Ryan Rumpf tallied an RBI single in the top of the seventh, scoring senior Mike McQuillan to extend the Iowa lead to 3-0.

The Hokies (6-2) answered with a run in the bottom of the eighth to cut the lead to 3-1. Virginia Tech pushed across three in the bottom of the ninth to earn the 4-3 victory. The game ended on a bases loaded sacrifice fly to right field.

Sasha Kuebel started and took a no-decision despite a stellar outing. In his second career start, the freshman pitched seven and a third, allowing one run on three hits. He struck out three. Senior Tim Fangman took the loss for Iowa.

Virginia Tech’s Tanner McIntyre recorded the win. He pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

McQuillan and Yacinich led the Iowa offense, each recording two hits. McQuillan also swiped two bases. The Hawkeyes out-hit the Hokies, 9-6.

Iowa returns to action in Clarksville, Tenn., next weekend in the Austin Peay/River View Inn Classic. The Hawkeyes open against Akron on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m. (CT).