Dahm Earns Win No. 200 as Iowa Blanks Indiana

March 31, 2012

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — The University of Iowa baseball team won at Indiana on Saturday, 4-0, giving head coach Jack Dahm his 200th win at the helm of the Hawkeye program. He ranks third all-time in victories at Iowa behind Duane Banks and Otto Vogel. The game was the second in a three-game set at Sembower Field.

“It is a real tribute to all the great players we have had here,” said Dahm about the milestone victory. “Hopefully we can get many more in the years to come.”

Matt Dermody started and pitched a gem. The junior tossed a season-high seven innings, allowing zero runs while scattering four hits. He struck out three Hoosiers to earn his first victory of the season.

“I was happy for Matt (Dermody),” said Dahm. “He did a great job. He keeps getting better. (Nick) Brown and Taylor (Kaufman) did a great job as well. If we get to that four or five run mark, we have a good chance to win.”

Freshman Taylor Kaufman and senior Nick Brown saw action out of the Iowa bullpen and helped finish the shut out. Kaufman pitched two-thirds in the eighth inning. Brown entered with two on in the eighth, and pitched the final inning and a third to earn his fourth save of the year and close out the Hawkeye victory.

The visitors struck first with a single tally in the top of the second inning. With two away and runners at first and third, Andrew Host reached on a bunt single to score Phil Keppler and give the Hawkeyes the early 1-0 lead.

Iowa (10-13, 3-2) extended its lead to 4-0 in the top of the fifth. The Hawkeyes used a Chett Zeise single and three Indiana errors to push across three runs. Host, Jake Yacinich and Zeise all came across to score in the inning.

“Our guys competed all day long,” said Dahm about the Iowa offense. “We had a good approach. We made their defense make plays and put a little bit of pressure on them. It was a solid outing offensively, defensively, and on the mound. We need to have some more competitive at-bats tomorrow, like we did today. We need to continue to play good, solid baseball.”

Indiana starter Kyle Hart took the loss. He pitched six and two-thirds, allowing four runs (one earned) on five hits.

The Hawkeyes and Hoosiers (11-16, 3-2) conclude their three-game series with the rubber match Sunday at 12:05 p.m. (CT). Iowa will be looking to win in its second consecutive Big Ten series.