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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The University of Iowa baseball team earned its first win of the season, defeating Air Force 4–3 at the MLB Desert Invitational on Saturday night.
"It was really nice bounce back win tonight. Runde gave us the quality start we needed, and Kyle Alivo worked out of a Jam in the seventh and didn’t allow a free base in the final two innings," said Head Coach Rick Heller. "Our defense played well. Joey Nerat had a big game on offense for us with three hits and double."
Graduate transfer Logan Runde made his Hawkeye debut on the mound, throwing 5 1/3 innings with no walks and six strikeouts. Redshirt freshman Kyle Alivo made his collegiate debut in relief, pitching three innings while surrendering one run and striking out four to earn the save.
The Hawkeyes struck first in the top of the second when graduate student Matthew Delgado delivered a sacrifice fly to score redshirt sophomore Jaxien Frost, who reached on a one-out double.
Air Force responded immediately with two runs in the bottom of the second and held the lead through the sixth inning. Senior Gannon Archer entered to finish the sixth and earned his fourth career win as a Hawkeye, throwing two-thirds of an inning and striking out one.
Iowa regained the lead in the seventh as redshirt junior Jaylen Ziegler scored on a sacrifice fly by Frost. Senior Joey Nerat, who logged his third hit of the night, followed with a double to left-center. Senior Gable Mitchell singled to right to drive in Nerat, and Caleb Wulf singled to shallow left to bring home Mitchell, giving Iowa a 4–2 lead.
The Falcons added a run in the bottom of the seventh, but Alivo closed out the game to secure the 4–3 victory.
"Both teams played hard and pitched well," Heller said. "It felt good to see our guys come through in a close one. Those wins always pay off down the road."
OF NOTE
- Iowa improves to 5–1 all-time against Air Force.
- Runde made his Hawkeye debut, pitching a career-high 5 1/3 innings (previous high: 5 vs. Florida Atlantic on March 9, 2025).
- Alivo made his collegiate debut after redshirting last season and tallied his first career save.
- Nerat made his first start as a Hawkeye and led the team with three hits.
NEXT UP
The Hawkeyes (1-1) return to action Sunday, facing Northeastern at 2 p.m. (CT).
"It was really nice bounce back win tonight. Runde gave us the quality start we needed, and Kyle Alivo worked out of a Jam in the seventh and didn’t allow a free base in the final two innings," said Head Coach Rick Heller. "Our defense played well. Joey Nerat had a big game on offense for us with three hits and double."
Graduate transfer Logan Runde made his Hawkeye debut on the mound, throwing 5 1/3 innings with no walks and six strikeouts. Redshirt freshman Kyle Alivo made his collegiate debut in relief, pitching three innings while surrendering one run and striking out four to earn the save.
The Hawkeyes struck first in the top of the second when graduate student Matthew Delgado delivered a sacrifice fly to score redshirt sophomore Jaxien Frost, who reached on a one-out double.
Air Force responded immediately with two runs in the bottom of the second and held the lead through the sixth inning. Senior Gannon Archer entered to finish the sixth and earned his fourth career win as a Hawkeye, throwing two-thirds of an inning and striking out one.
Iowa regained the lead in the seventh as redshirt junior Jaylen Ziegler scored on a sacrifice fly by Frost. Senior Joey Nerat, who logged his third hit of the night, followed with a double to left-center. Senior Gable Mitchell singled to right to drive in Nerat, and Caleb Wulf singled to shallow left to bring home Mitchell, giving Iowa a 4–2 lead.
The Falcons added a run in the bottom of the seventh, but Alivo closed out the game to secure the 4–3 victory.
"Both teams played hard and pitched well," Heller said. "It felt good to see our guys come through in a close one. Those wins always pay off down the road."
OF NOTE
- Iowa improves to 5–1 all-time against Air Force.
- Runde made his Hawkeye debut, pitching a career-high 5 1/3 innings (previous high: 5 vs. Florida Atlantic on March 9, 2025).
- Alivo made his collegiate debut after redshirting last season and tallied his first career save.
- Nerat made his first start as a Hawkeye and led the team with three hits.
NEXT UP
The Hawkeyes (1-1) return to action Sunday, facing Northeastern at 2 p.m. (CT).