March 13, 2016
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By JAMES ALLAN
hawkeyesports.com
EMERSON, Ga. — An eight-run fifth inning propelled the University of Iowa baseball team to a 14-4 victory over Savannah State on Sunday afternoon in the third of four games at the Spring Swing at LakePoint.
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Trailing 4-2 heading to the fifth, the Hawkeyes sent 12 batters to the plate, collecting five hits and scoring eight runs to take a 10-4 lead. Freshman Robert Neustrom, junior Mason McCoy, and freshman Zach Daniels drove in the first three runs before senior Joel Booker launched a three-run shot to left field to push the lead to 10-4.
“The guys fought back, they made a mistake, and we were able to capitalize on it,” said UI head coach Rick Heller. “We had a bunch of guys that had multiple hits and clutch hits, which was good to see. Guys stepped up with some two-out knocks, and that’s what we need to get going.”
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The Hawkeyes added to their advantage in the sixth, scoring three runs on five hits. Neustrom doubled to lead off the inning before scoring on a two-out RBI single from Booker. Senior Nick Roscetti and Tyler Peyton followed with back-to-back RBI base hits to stretch Iowa’s lead to 13-4.
Iowa’s final run came in the top of the ninth on a sacrifice fly from senior John Barrett.
The Hawkeyes tied a season high with 19 hits, coming from nine different players. Booker (3-for-6, 4 RBIs, 2 runs), Neustrom (3-for-6, 2 R, 1 RBI), McCoy (3-for-6, RBI, R), and Daniels (3-for-4, 2 R) all had three hits. Roscetti (2-for-4) and Peyton (2-for-5) also had multi-hit games.
“Overall, it was a good game, we got everybody in the game for the most part, and we played a clean game defensively,” said Heller.
Sophomore Nick Gallagher (2-1) earned his second straight win, throwing 5 1/3 innings of three-hit ball in relief. He had four strikeouts and didn’t issue a free base. Senior Calvin Mathews allowed four runs on two hits in 3 2/3, striking out four and walking three.
“Nick did a nice job,” said Heller. “He settled in after the first where he was a little erratic, but from there he was very efficient.”
Savannah State grabbed an early lead just two batters into the game when Jonathan Moore connected on a two-run home run to left field off Mathews. The Tigers’ Elder Mendez made the score 3-0, crossing the plate on a wild pitch.
Iowa cut the lead in half in its second at-bat with sophomore Austin Guzzo jump-started the offense with a solo home run to left field to make the score 3-1. Freshman Luke Farley followed with a walk, moved to second on a wild pitch, and scored on a Corbin Woods RBI single.
Savannah State plated its final run in the fourth inning, using a two-out rally. A walk and two singles loaded the bases before Jacob Lightle delivered an RBI single to right field to stretch the Tigers’ lead to 4-2.
Greg Hollman (0-2) suffered the loss, allowing seven runs (five earned) on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings. Iowa scored at least one run against four of Savannah State’s five relievers.
Iowa (5-8) closes out play in Georgia on Monday, facing NAIA foe, Point University, at 1:30 p.m. (CT). Freshman Cole McDonald will take the ball for the Hawkeyes.
