Hawkeyes Sweep Spartans on Senior Day

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa baseball team defeated Michigan State, 5-1, to sweep the three-game series at Duane Banks Field on Sunday afternoon.

Brody Brecht got the start throwing six innings allowing one hit and one run while striking out eight and walking five. Brecht improves to 4-2 on the season.

“Sean and Brody have been working hard on a few things, one of those being rhythm and pace,” said head coach Rick Heller. “I thought his rhythm was good today and when his rhythm is good, he’s more competitive with all of his pitches. His direction is another thing they have been working on, just making sure he stays in the tunnel to the plate. Brody went out there today and believed in himself, attacked the zone, and was able to be in control.”

Jack Whitlock pitched the final three innings of the contest earning his first save of the season. He allowed two hits while striking out five.

Raider Tello was 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Michael Seegers was 2-for-4 with a solo home run and Brennen Dorighi was 2-for-4 with one RBI.

“Today was a great example of what we have talked about the past two days, and that is great balance,” said Heller. “Cade gets a single to start the inning and we are able to get runs. Dorighi has been swinging it so well and was clutch this weekend for us. It was one of those days where we needed to take advantage of every opportunity with how the wind was blowing. Raider’s hit was huge, that bit of insurance was really good heading into the ninth.”

Iowa outhit the Spartans 11-3 today and outscored them 22-7 on the weekend.

OF NOTE

• Iowa improves to 37-12 on the season and 13-7 in Big Ten play.
• The Hawkeyes finished 22-3 at Duane Banks Field. That is tied for the most in a single season (22 wins in 1977).
• Brecht is now tied for seventh most strikeouts in a single season for the Hawkeyes with 87.
• Michigan State entered the weekend leading the Big Ten with a .312 batting average but only hit .174 against the Hawkeye pitching staff.