Hawkeyes Sweep Wolverines

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The University of Iowa baseball team earned its third Big Ten series sweep of the season with a 7-4 victory over Michigan on Sunday afternoon at Ray Fisher Stadium.

The Hawkeyes outhit the Wolverines, 9-7, and batted .257 overall. 

"Offensively, we had chances to break it open early and didn't execute real well," said head coach Rick Heller. "The pitchers picked us up this weekend and the offense did just enough. I'm really happy for the team."

Michigan (23-17, 8-10) got on the board in the first inning with a solo home run. The Hawkeyes (27-11, 17-4) tied the game and took the lead in the fifth when Miles Risley hit a two-out two-strike 2 RBI single. Iowa added another run in the seventh on a Blake Guerin RBI single up the middle.

The Wolverines cut their deficit to one in the seventh, scoring on an error, and then knotted the game at three in the eighth.

The Hawkeyes responded with a four-run ninth inning, highlighted by an RBI SAC fly from Risley and a bases-clearing double from pinch-hitter Mitch Wood.

"Mitch Wood steps up with a two-strike two-out bases loaded double over the right fielder's head to break it open for us," said Heller. "I couldn't be happier for Mitch. He's been waiting for his time. He about tied it up for us last week in the game we lost to Nebraska, but he came through today."

Michigan hit a bomb in the bottom of the ninth to make it 7-4 in favor of the Hawkeyes. Risley robbed Michigan of another home run in the ninth with a leaping catch in center field. 

"Risley made an unbelieveable catch in centerfield in the ninth inning to really finish it off for us," said Heller.

Risley led the Iowa offense, going 2-for-3 with a double, a walk, three RBIs and a run scored.

Reece Beuter got the start for Iowa. He threw six innings, allowing one earned run on three hits while walking two batters and matching a career-high with eight strikeouts. 

Anthony Watts came out of the bullpen and threw the final two innings to earn the win and improve to 3-2 on the season. He gave up one run on two hits and struck out one. 

"Reece Beuter was outstanding today," said Heller. "After that, the bullpen hung on for us. Hogue and Watts did a really nice job of shutting it down."

UP NEXT

The Hawkeyes will be back home on Tuesday for a midweek contest with Western Illinois. First pitch is set for 6:02 p.m. (CDT) at Duane Banks Field. The game will be broadcast on B1G+ and the Hawkeye Radio Network.