IOWA CITY, IOWA – The University of Iowa baseball team defeated Northern Illinois, 14-6, on Tuesday evening at Duane Banks Field.
“I thought offensively it was a great day for us,” said head coach Rick Heller. “Up and down the lineup. Scored runs early, scored runs throughout the game, and answered with runs every time they scored. That was great to see, even after the weather shifted.”
The Hawkeyes got out to a fast start scoring five runs in the first including a pair for two-run home runs. Iowa added two runs in the second and a run in the third.
The Huskies tallied three runs in the fifth, but the Hawkeyes responded with four runs in the bottom half. The teams traded runs in the seventh, and Northern Illinois scored two runs in the eighth top half of the eight while Iowa added an insurance run in the bottom half.
“We had way too many free bases,” said Heller. “Gave up runs in the seventh and the eighth, which we can’t do. Walking lead off guys and nine hole three times, stuff that is not sustainable and has to change. Defense was sloppy, had a couple errors on the infield that could have hurt if we weren’t scoring, but we were so we will take it.”
Justin Hackett started for the Hawkeyes throwing 1/3 of an inning, before Jack Young entered throwing 1 1/3 innings of relief to earn the win. Young struck out three.
In total 10 different pitchers saw action for the Hawkeyes striking out 13 Huskies while walking 10 Northern Illinois batters. Aaron Savary, Drew Deremer, and Gannon Archer each struck out two.
Sam Petersen was 2-for-3 with two RBIs, Raider Tello was 2-for-4 with two RBIs, Blake Guerin was 2-for-4 with two double and Reese Moore was 3-for-4 with an RBI, scored two runs and two doubles.