May 6, 2016
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By JAMES ALLAN
hawkeyesports.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Two Ohio State pitchers limited the University of Iowa baseball team to five hits in a 6-0 series-opening victory Friday night at Bill Davis Stadium.
Junior southpaw Tanner Tully (6-3) tossed seven shutout innings, scattering four hits and striking out four. Kyle Michalik got the final six outs to finish off the Buckeyes’ 30th win of the season.
It was the first time since March, 2014, that Iowa was shut out.
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“Tanner was good tonight,” said UI head coach Rick Heller. “He located and we didn’t do too much with him. He gave us opportunities in the first and third, and we had our guys up, but couldn’t get a hit. It cost us and set the tone for the night.
“Our offense wasn’t very good and Tully was really good. That’s a bad combination.”
Iowa’s C.J. Eldred (2-7) was tagged with the loss, allowing five runs (all earned) on nine hits over four innings. The right-hander had three walks and one strikeout in the start. Junior Jared Mandel allowed two hits — and one run — in four innings. He struck out three without issuing a walk.
“C.J. didn’t have his good stuff tonight,” said Heller. “He was missing over the plate and struggling with his command of his secondary stuff. The Ohio State hitters made him pay.
“The only positive was Mandel coming in and doing an awesome job to save our bullpen for the rest of the weekend.”
The Buckeyes plated their first runs of the game in the second inning with three straight hits. Jalen Washington delivered the big blow, lacing a two-run single up the middle.
Ohio State pushed its lead to 5-0 in the fourth with three extra base hits to knock Eldred from the game. Washington doubled to lead off the frame, Craig Nenning had a one-out RBI triple, and Ronnie Dawson hit a two-run home run to right center field.
After Iowa loaded the bases, but came away empty, the Buckeyes stretched their lead to 6-0 in the fifth against Mandel. Jacob Bosiokovic tripled to right centerfield to lead off the inning before Washington drove in his third run of the game with an RBI single to right centerfield.
Frankos paced Iowa at the plate, collecting two of the five hits.
“We hit into some double plays in key situations that could have got us back into the game,” said Heller. “It wasn’t in the cards tonight. We have to bounce back tomorrow.”
Game two of the series is set for 2:05 p.m. (CT) Saturday. Senior Tyler Peyton will take the hill for Iowa.