IOWA CITY, Iowa – Sophomore Ty Langenberg allowed one run over seven innings and the Hawkeyes’ offense erupted for nine runs to lead the University of Iowa baseball team to a 9-1 series-clinching victory over Purdue on Mother’s Day Sunday at Duane Banks Field.
The win gives the Hawkeyes their fourth straight series win and its sixth in seven weekends. Iowa is 28-16 overall, 12-6 in Big Ten play with two weeks remaining in the regular season.
In a career-long outing, Langenberg (5-1) scattered five hits and fanned seven while only issuing one walk to notch his fifth victory of the season. The right-hander didn’t allow a run over the first 6 2/3 innings before giving up a solo home run with two outs in the seventh.
Iowa finished with 12 strikeouts in the game to move the season total to 507 to set a single-season record. The previous mark was 499 set in 2018.
“We gave a mature, professional effort today,” said head coach Rick Heller. “After a tough day yesterday, we came out with a lot of energy. We were really dialed in against a good team and we needed a good start. Ty Langenberg delivered with that; he was solid today.”
Iowa’s offense got going in the first inning against Purdue starter Logan Danzeisen. The right-hander plunked Peyton Williams with one out before serving up a two-run home run to Keaton Anthony. The Georgia native belted a 2-2 pitch 442-feet deep over the Sharp Family Video Board in left field to give the Hawkeyes a 2-0 lead.
“I am feeling pretty good up there,” said Anthony. “I saw a slider 1-0 and was not expecting that. He hung it a little, so I felt it was a pitch I should have ambushed. He came back with fastballs and I fouled them off.
“On 2-2, he threw fast ball and I fouled it off, I was on that one. I was expecting, when he shook, I thought he was shaking to slider, and I wanted to make sure I didn’t miss it. It was a nice day to hit today with the wind blowing out to left field.”
Iowa doubled its lead in the third with a two-out rally. Anthony walked and Izaya Fullard was hit by a Troy Wansing pitch with two outs. Redshirt junior Brendan Sher followed with a two-run double into the left center field gap, stretching the lead to 4-0.
The Hawkeyes broke the game open in the fifth, pushing five runs across the plate. After loading the bases, Sher drew a one-out walk to make the score 5-0 and Williams scored on a wild pitch. With the infield drawn in, freshman Ben Wilmes hit a hard grounder up the middle to make it 8-0 and sophomore Cade Moss’ single to right center pushed the advantage to 9-0.
“I was happy for Cade,” said Heller. “He really gave us a spark today.”
Purdue got on the board in the seventh courtesy of a solo home run by Mike Bolton, Jr., to right center. It was the only run allowed by Langenberg in the contest.
The Hawkeye defense was masterful in the game. Redshirt sophomore Kyle Huckstorf laid out to make a full extension diving catch to rob Curtis Washington of extra bases in the third and Sher made a diving snare to his left and thew out Albrecht on the very next play.
The best play of the bunch came in the top of the fifth when Washington tried laying down a bunt single. Sher charged, barehanded the bunt and fired in a singular motion to throw out Washington – one of the fastest players in Big Ten.
“I don’t know what to say,” said Langenberg of the Hawkeye defense. “It gives me the utmost confidence when I am on the mound when I have guys behind me that are making plays like that. It gives me the confidence to attack each batter and if I do make a mistake, they are going to be there to back me up.”
QUOTING COACH HELLER
“Brendan Sher made some nice plays and Huckstorf in center field. It was a tough day to play with the way the wind was howling. Huck made some big-time plays in the outfield and was a big reason why we were where we were.”
OF NOTE..
– It was the sixth start this season Langenberg has allowed two or fewer runs and his fifth outing striking out at least seven batters.
– Moss finished 2-for-3 with a double and RBI. It was his second straight game with an extra base hit.
– Anthony’s first inning home run was his second in as many days. He now has 10 home runs, tying Williams for the team lead.
UP NEXT
With finals week, the Hawkeyes return to action May 13-15, traveling to East Lansing, Michigan, for a three-games series at Michigan State.
