Early Leads Slips Away From Hawkeyes

March 3, 2013

Box Score

• Read the March issue of Hawk Talk Monthly
• 2013 Iowa Baseball Media Guide
• Download your Iowa Hawkeye iPhone/iPad app!
• Download your Iowa Hawkeye Android app!
• Big Ten Network: Free Hawkeye Video
• 24 Hawkeyes to Watch

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The University of Iowa baseball team could not hold onto an early 3-1 lead, falling to Wichita State, 5-3, on Sunday at Gary Hogan Field in Little Rock, Ark.

“We’re very close, but we need to come up with a better game plan offensively or we’re going to struggle and be in a lot of close games,” said UI head coach Jack Dahm.

The Hawkeyes (4-6) got off to a fast start, scoring three runs in the first two innings. Iowa scored two runs in its half of the first inning, as junior Keith Brand singled through the right side to score sophomores Kris Goodman and Jake Yacinich.

Iowa put another run on the board in the second inning after a Yacinich single plated freshman Blake Hickman.

Three Wichita State pitchers held the Hawkeyes to zero runs and five hits over the next seven innings. Starter Drew Palmer was responsible for allowing all of Iowa’s runs and took a no decision, pitching four innings. TJ McGreevy was credited with the win, allowing no earned runs and two hits over four innings. Brandon Peterson picked up his second save after tossing the ninth inning.

Iowa had scoring chances throughout the final seven innings, leaving six on base over the stretch. The Hawkeyes best scoring opportunities came in the fifth and sixth innings, as they placed a runner on third base with one out in both frames.

“We had opportunities,” Dahm said. “It was a 5-3 game and if we hit a routine ground ball to second base twice it’s a tie game. We have to do a much better job with our offensive execution in order to be a team that is going to be successful.”

The Shockers (5-4) used an Erik Harbutz sacrifice fly to score their first run of the game in the second inning.

Wichita State struck for three runs in the third inning via a pair of doubles to take a 4-3 advantage. Johnny Coy delivered a bases-loaded double that resulted in two runs. Coy would later score after a Tyler Baker double.

The Shockers added another run in the fifth inning, as Cody Bobbit crossed the plate after an Iowa throwing error.

Freshman Josh Martsching was given the loss on the mound. Martsching threw three innings and allowed four runs in his first collegiate start. Seniors Ricky Sandquist and Andrew Hanse both pitched out of the bullpen. Sandquist tossed four innings, allowing one unearned run and striking out four. Hanse pitched the final two innings, holding WSU to one hit and zero runs.

“Ricky and Andrew were electric and threw the ball extremely well,” said Dahm. “When you have guys like that coming out of the bullpen, all you have to do is chip away after Wichita State took the lead and the outcome could have been much different.”

Yacinich and sophomore Eric Toole both went 2-for-4 at the plate for the Hawkeyes. It was Yacinich’s second multi-hit game in three contests and his team-best fifth multi-hit performance of the season, while Toole extended his hitting streak to six games.

The Hawkeyes travel to Port Charlotte, Fla., next weekend to compete in the Snowbird Classic. Iowa will face Maine on Friday, Georgetown on Saturday, and West Virginia on Sunday. All three games will begin at 10 p.m. (CT).