Hawkeyes Fall in Series Opener To #14 USC

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The University of Iowa baseball team fell to No. 14 USC, 9‑2, on Friday afternoon at Dedeaux Field.

The Hawkeyes dropped to 18‑13 overall and 5‑8 in Big Ten play.

“We didn’t give a very good effort tonight on the mound or at the plate,” said head coach Rick Heller. “Edwards was very good, but we made it pretty easy on him early by chasing out of the zone. He settled in after the fifth and was hitting everything. On the mound, it was similar to a lot of our Friday nights, way too many free bases. We need to clean it up tomorrow and fight a lot harder.”

USC struck first in the second inning, using a double to right‑center followed by a single through the right side to bring home two runs. The Trojans extended their lead in the third, scoring once on a passed ball and again on a lineout to right field.

USC added runs in the sixth and seventh innings before tacking on three more in the eighth.

Iowa got on the board in the ninth. Senior Gable Mitchell singled up the middle, and after a walk to senior Caleb Wulf, senior Miles Risley lined a single through the left side to score Mitchell. Senior Kooper Schulte then lifted a sacrifice fly to right field, allowing Wulf to score.

Senior Justin Hackett started for the Hawkeyes and was charged with the loss after pitching one inning and allowing two runs on one hit. Sophomore Jaron Bleeker followed, tossing five innings and allowing three runs on five hits while striking out five. Freshman Carter Wilcox, John Henry Kohorst and Nick Terhaar closed out the game for the Hawkeyes.

Up Next
Iowa and No. 14 USC continue the series Saturday at Dedeaux Field. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. (CT).