Hawkeyes Fall to Minnesota in Series Opener

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April 27, 2012

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MINNEAPOLIS — The University of Iowa baseball team fell to Minnesota, 5-4, Friday night in the first contest of a three-game weekend set at the Metrodome. Tonight marked the Hawkeyes’ first game against the Gophers in the Metrodome since 1988.

“Both teams really battled,” said head coach Jack Dahm. “Tonight we saw two really good pitchers. Jarred wasn’t as sharp, but he battled. We had our opportunities; we had some timely hits tonight and we were right there, but ultimately we came up short.”

Minnesota (25-19, 8-5), who played their its 33rd home game (22-11) of the season tonight, scored the game’s first tally in the bottom of the first inning on a two-out RBI single to right field.

Iowa (16-21, 5-8) evened the game in the third inning. With runners on the corners and one out, freshman Jake Yacinich delivered a base hit up the middle scoring Keith Brand. The Gophers reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the frame with a pair of runs via sacrifice fly and an RBI single to right.

The Hawkeyes tied the contest in the top of the fifth on three hits and a Minnesota error. Minnesota catcher Matt Halloran attempted to throw out Andrew Host on a steal, but a poor throw allowed Brand, who was at third base, to cross home plate. Yacinich then stepped to the plate and smacked a two-out RBI double scoring Host and tying the contest. The double was Yacinich’s second hit of the game.

After being charged with a throwing error in the top of the fifth, Halloran redeemed himself in the bottom half of the frame with a two-run home run to right field to put the Gophers in front again, 5-3.

Iowa plated its fourth run in the seventh on a two-out RBI single up the middle by McQuillan, scoring Brand from second base. Brand finished the game with two hits and a game-high three runs scored.

The seventh-inning single by McQuillan was his 184th of his career, establishing a new Hawkeye career record surpassing Keith Noreen’s (1987-90) previous record of 183. The native of Evergreen Park, Ill., has totaled 225 career overall hits during his four-year Hawkeye, which is one shy of Brad Carlson (1999-02) for third on Iowa’s all-time list.

Iowa’s Jarred Hippen took the loss, allowing five runs in seven and two third innings of work. Minnesota’s TJ Oaks earned his seventh victory of the season, yielding four runs in seven and a third innings. Tom Windle pitched the final inning and a two thirds to register his first save of the season.

The Hawkeyes and Gophers continue their weekend series tomorrow. First pitch is slated for 2:05 p.m. inside the Metrodome.