Hawkeyes Top Buckeyes, Capture Series

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- The University of Iowa baseball team recorded its third Big Ten series win by virtue of a 12-5 win over Ohio State on Saturday afternoon at Duane Banks Field. 

Iowa (13-8, 6-2) plated double-digit runs for the second straight game and third time in four games. Iowa tallied nine hits, worked 13 walks and had two hit-by-pitches on Saturday. After driving in three runs in the series opener, Reese Moore had four RBI on Saturday.

Aaron Savary, Anthony Watts, Brant Hogue and Jack Whitlock combined to strike out 14 Buckeyes on the mound. Watts earned the win, throwing two and two thirds of scoreless baseball and allowing only one hit and striking out four in middle relief.

"We were pleased with our approach and execution of the game plan,” said Iowa head coach Rick Heller. “You couldn't ask for more than the five runs in the first inning. We took advantage of the free bases that they gave us today. Savary wasn’t as sharp as he’s been, but he gutted it out for us and kept us in the game. Watts and Hogue did the same thing. Jack did exactly what you want in the ninth, shutting the door 1-2-3."

Iowa chased Buckeye starter Blaine Wynk after sending 11 batters to the plate in the first inning, scoring five runs on four hits and four walks. The highlight of the frame was Reese Moore hitting a towering two-run shot over the right field wall for his third homer in two days and seventh of the season.  

Ohio State (6-14, 0-5) plated two in the second inning with back-to-back solo home runs and another tally in the third with an RBI single to close to within 5-3.

The Hawkeyes got three runs back in the third inning on a Buckeye throwing error and a two-out, two-RBI single by Moore up the middle.

After allowing two runs in the top of the fourth, Iowa’s lead swelled to 12-5 wothout a hit in the bottom of the fifth. The inning featured four walks, two hit-by-pitch and four runs.

In addition to Moore, Caleb Wulf, Kooper Schulte and Ben Swails registered two hits. Schulte and Swails also had an RBI while Wulf drove in two.

Up Next: Iowa will look for the series sweep over Ohio State on Sunday at Duane Banks Field. First pitch is scheduled for 1:02 (CT). The game will be broadcast on B1G+ and the Hawkeye Radio Network.