IOWA CITY, Iowa – The Gold team used a three-run fifth to rally and knock off the Black team, 5-4, in Wednesday’s seven-inning exhibition at Duane Banks Field. The win clinched the Black & Gold World Series for the Gold team.
Both left-handed starters dazzled on the mound with sophomore Cade Obermueller striking out seven batters in two and 2/3 innings for the Black team. The southpaw issued three walks and two hits, but only gave up one run. Freshman Elliot Cadieux-Lanoue worked three and 2/3 innings for the Gold team, allowing three runs on four hits.
Junior Connor Hennings began the scoring with an RBI single in the first to give the Black team a 1-0 lead. After a bases loaded walk to sophomore Gable Mitchell tied the game in the second, Hennings delivered again – this time with a two-run home run off the batter’s eye in center field.
The Gold team drew two walks and a hit-by-pitch in the fifth to load the bases. Senior Andy Nelson drove home pinch-runner Ryan Brosius on a sacrifice fly to center before sophomore Blake Guerin gave the Gold team the lead with a two-out, two-RBI single. Sophomore Ben Swails added insurance in the sixth with a solo blast to left field to put the Gold team on top, 5-3.
The Black team threatened in the seventh, putting runners on the corners with one out. Senior Will Mulflur brought home a run on a sacrifice fly to bring the Black team within one, before senior Ben DeTaeye worked out of the jam.
Bullpen arms redshirt junior Reece Beuter (2.1 IP, 3 K) and DeTaeye (1.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 H) sealed the victory for the Gold team.
Junior Sam Hart (2.0 IP, 3 ER, 2 K) and sophomore Ganon Archer (1.1 IP, 1 ER, 2 K) saw action out of the bullpen for the Black team.
Each team registered five hits and committed one error.
UP NEXT: The Hawkeyes have concluded their fall slate. Iowa opens its spring season at the Swig & Swine College Classic on Feb. 16 against Seton Hall in Charleston, South Carolina.