Hawkeyes Win Series Opener Over Buckeyes

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa baseball team secured a series-opening win over Ohio State via run rule, 12-0, in seven innings on Friday afternoon at Duane Banks Field. 

The Hawkeyes belted four home runs and three doubles on their way to the win. Reese Moore highlighted the offense with a 3-for-4 day, including two home runs and a double, while driving in three runs. Gable Mitchell and Daniel Rogers chipped in with multi-RBI games and home runs of their own.

On the mound, Cade Obermueller earned the win, tossing six innings of scoreless baseball and allowing only three hits. Obermueller struck out nine Buckeyes. Chas Wheatley struck out the side in the seventh inning to record Iowa’s fifth shutout of the season. 

“It was a great day for us,” said head coach Rick Heller. “Cade bounced back with a high-quality start today. He had good command with all his pitches and had electric stuff all day. The offense gave him run support early and often and we played good defense behind him.”

After Obermueller set the Buckeyes down in order in the first inning, the Hawkeye bats wasted no time putting early pressure on Ohio State. Leadoff hitter Ben Wilmes reached on an error. Two batters later, Moore lined a home run over the right field wall to give the Hawkeyes a 2-0 lead.

Iowa added to its lead in the second inning, highlighted by back-to-back blasts from Mitchell and Moore. Ben Swails drew a one-out walk before Wilmes singled to left. Mitchell corked a 1-2 pitch to right field that cleared the wall to extend Iowa’s lead to 5-0. Three pitches later, Moore blasted his second home run of the game – a solo shot to right that put Iowa up, 6-0.

“Reese (Moore) had an amazing day with two home runs and a double,” Heller added. "It was good to see us battle and get some runs in the middle innings when Ohio State went to its bullpen. I was happy with how the offense executed the gameplan. We were locked in. Getting a Friday win is always good.”

The Buckeyes threatened in the third inning with runners at first and third and no outs. Obermueller proceeded to strike out the next three batters to end the threat.

Back-to-back hits from Moore and Miles Risley set the table for Rogers in the fourth, who crushed a three-run home run down the line in right to extend Iowa’s lead to nine. The Hawkeyes added three more runs in the fifth, courtesy of an RBI double from Mitchell, RBI single from Risley and a run scored from a wild pitch.

Iowa outhit Ohio State, 10-3, and played a clean game defensively with no errors. The Hawkeyes cracked seven extra base hits. Defensively, Iowa held Ohio State to 3-for-24 hitting (.125) and 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position. 

Up Next: Iowa seeks the series win against Ohio State on Saturday at Duane Banks Field. First pitch is scheduled for 2:02 (CT). The game will be broadcast on B1G+ and the Hawkeye Radio Network.