Hawkeyes Fall to FIU, 2-1  

DES MOINES, Iowa – The University of Iowa baseball team fell to Florida International, 2-1, on Thursday night at Principal Park.

“A weird game, and we have been in some weird ones this year and that one was extra weird,” said head coach Rick Heller. “You lose off a bases loaded walk and an infield single, a sacrifice, a balk and then their only true single of the game. We just struggled; we struggled in the middle innings. Their lefties were tough on us tonight.”

The Hawkeyes outhit the Panthers 9-2, but the Panthers were able to hold the Hawkeyes to just 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position.

Brody Brecht got the start for Iowa throwing one inning as he was working on a pitch count. He allowed one run on four walks and struck out one.

Aaron Savary entered and threw five innings of one-run ball to keep the Hawkeyes in the game, he allowed one run on one hit while striking out five and walking two.

The Hawkeyes loaded the bases with two outs in the ninth inning, but a strikeout ended the rally before the Hawkeyes could plate the tying run from third.

“We scrapped,” said Heller. “Two outs nobody on in the ninth we got them loaded with the bottom of the order. Mulflur had a big hit, Cade Moss threw the drag bunt and it worked, Andy gets a swinging bunt and beats it out. We felt pretty good with Raider coming up, he’s been clutch for us all year. It doesn’t always happen.”

Sam Hart threw 1/3 of an inning before Jack Young closed out the game with 2 2/3 innings of hitless baseball striking out three.

Davis Cop was 3-for-4 plating the Hawkeyes’ lone run on a solo shot to right. Will Mulflur was 2-for-4 and Andy Nelson, Raider Tello, Ben Wilmes and Cade Moss each had a hit.

“It was an awesome environment,” said Heller. “Really appreciate everybody coming out and supporting us. It was a fantastic environment; we love playing here in a beautiful ballpark.”

The Hawkeyes return to action tomorrow in Des Moines for game two with FIU at 6:35 p.m.