Hawkeyes Fall to Hoosiers in Series Opener, 10-7

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March 30, 2012

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BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — The University of Iowa baseball team fell at Indiana on Friday in game one of a three-game set at Sembower Field, 10-7.

Iowa, playing in its first conference road series of the season, out-hit Indiana, 14-10. Ten Hawkeyes tallied at least one hit and three registered multi-hit games. Senior Phil Keppler finished 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI. Sophomore Bryan Niedbalski equaled a career-high with three hits, going 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Junior Andrew Host finished 2-for-3 with a run scored. In addition, sophomore Keith Brand recorded three RBI and freshman Kris Goodman notched two RBI.

The visitors struck first in the opening frame. Senior Mike McQuillan singled through the right side to lead-off the game and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by freshman Jake Yacinich. Senior Chett Zeise doubled to right center to score McQuillan from second. Keppler followed with a single to left center to score Zeise and give Iowa an early 2-0 lead.

Indiana (11-15, 3-1) answered in the home half of the first. The Hoosiers scored three runs on a home run to center by Sam Travis to grab a 3-2 lead.

The home team added to its lead in the third, pushing across three runs on three hits to make the score 6-2.

Iowa (9-13, 2-2) answered in the next inning. Keppler and Niedbalski started the top half of the fourth with back-to-back singles. Keppler later scored on a sacrifice fly by Brand. Following a single by Host, Goodman doubled down the left field line to score Host and Niedbalski and cut the lead to 6-5.

Indiana tallied a single run in the fifth on a solo home run by Kyle Schwarber to push its lead to 7-5.

The Hawkeyes responded in the top of the sixth, recording three-straight hits to open the frame. Niedbalski singled up the middle and senior Sean Flanagan doubled to right field, putting runners at second and third. Brand then singled to right center to score both runners and even the score at 7-7.

The Hoosiers regained the lead in the bottom of the seventh. With two down and the bases loaded, Michael Basil doubled to left center to clear the bases and give Indiana a 10-7 lead heading to the eighth.

In the ninth, Iowa put runners at first and second with no outs following singles by freshman Eric Toole and sophomore Taylor Zeutenhorst, but was unable to push across a run giving Indiana the series opening victory.

Jarred Hippen took the loss. The senior tossed six and a third, allowing nine runs on nine hits. He struck out eight Hoosiers.

Indiana starter Joey DeNato took a no-decision. He pitched four innings, allowing five runs on eight hits. Jonny Hoffman earned the win, pitching three scoreless innings. Matt Dearden earned the save for the Hoosiers. He pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his third save.

Iowa and Indiana continue their three-game set Saturday at 12:05 p.m. (CT). The Hawkeyes and Hoosiers will conclude play Sunday at 12:05 p.m. (CT).