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MARION, Ill. — The University of Iowa Baseball pounded out a season-high 19 hits — 10 going for extra bases — en route to a 18-7 win at Rent One Park in Marion, Illinois, on Friday evening.
“It was a great way to start the series,” head coach Rick Heller said, “and I’m happy with how the team played.”
Iowa improved to 7-4 this season and has won three straight games.
Cole McDonald pitched six innings with five strikeouts and one run allowed on five hits and two walks to earn his first win of the season.
Sophomore designated hitter Izaya Fullard started Iowa’s offensive output in the second inning on a straightaway home run to center field. It was Fullard’s first career home run and the beginning of a five-RBI night.
The Hawkeyes led 3-0 after the second inning and then added six more runs in the third. Chris Whelan drew a leadoff walk, followed by a Tanner Wetrich single, and an Austin Martin sacrifice bunt, which put runners on second and third with one out.
Fullard doubled just inside the right field line for his third and fourth RBIs of the night. First baseman Zeb Adreon doubled off the right center field wall, his second of three doubles on the night, scoring Fullard. The next batter, Ben Norman, hit his third homer of the season to right field.
Through four innings, Iowa led 13-1, highlighted by an inside-the-park home run by Matthew Sosa — the first of his career. Sosa finished with three RBIs for his second three-RBI game of the season.
The Hawkeyes added three runs in the fifth, one in the sixth, and one in the seventh. Freshman Brendan Sher singled through the left side in the seventh, recording his first career hit and RBI.
Freshman Clayton Nettleton pitched two scoreless innings of relief, while Jake McLaughlin made his Hawkeye debut in the bottom of the ninth, allowing two earned runs.
QUOTING HEAD COACH RICK HELLER
“I’m happy with how our team came out to play. They had great focus in all areas of the game, especially on offense. Zeb Adreon had a big night with four RBIs. Izaya Fullard had five RBIs. Matthew Sosa comes into the game and has three RBIs with some great at-bats. Up and down the lineup, guys put quality at-bats together. We did a job of executing when we needed to move runners. We played a solid defensive game. Cole McDonald pitched well and gave us a scoreless start. Clayton Nettleton came in and did a nice job.”
OF NOTE…
- Tonight was the third time this season Iowa has scored 10 or more runs.
- Seven Hawkeyes recorded multi-hit games, while seven Hawkeyes recorded at least one RBI.
- McDonald (1-2, 5.03 ERA) recorded his second straight quality start.
- Adreon was the second Hawkeye (Chris Whelan vs. Marshall) this season to record three doubles in one game, which ties Iowa’s single game record.
- Fullard’s five RBIs were the most by a Hawkeye in one game this season.
- Wetrich’s four runs scored set a new career high.
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes conclude the three-game series with a doubleheader tomorrow, beginning at 1 p.m. (CT) at Rent One Park in Marian, Illinois.
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