Hawkeyes Sweep Hoosiers

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — The University of Iowa baseball team defeated Indiana, 7-4, on Sunday afternoon at Bart Kaufman Field to complete a series sweep over the Hoosiers.

“I’m really proud of our team,” said head coach Rick Heller. “Today we took a step forward. We’ve had opportunities like this throughout the season, but today we found a way to get it done. The guys have been playing really good baseball for a couple of weeks. Sweeps are tough to get in this league and even tougher on the road.”

Iowa opened the scoring in the first inning when senior Caleb Wulf singled through the left side to drive in senior Miles Risley, who reached on an error to start the frame.

The Hawkeyes extended the lead in the second inning. Redshirt junior Ben Swails tripled to left-center before senior Gable Mitchell delivered a two-run triple to right field to make it 3-0.

Iowa added two more runs in the fourth inning. Swails homered to left field, and Risley doubled to right-center to score senior Kooper Schulte, pushing the Hawkeye lead to 5-0.

The Hawkeyes capitalized on defensive miscues in the fifth inning to score two unearned runs. Redshirt junior Kellen Strohmeyer and redshirt freshman Carter Geffre both crossed the plate following a throwing error by the catcher, extending the lead to 7-0.

Indiana got on the board in the fifth inning and cut into the deficit with three runs in the sixth.

Graduate student Logan Runde started for Iowa, tossing four innings of one-run ball. Sophomore Jaron Bleeker worked four innings out of the bullpen to earn the win, allowing three runs. Graduate student Joe Husak retired the side in order in the ninth to record his second save of the season.

Mitchell led Iowa at the plate with two RBIs, while Swails went 3-for-4 with a triple and a home run. The Hawkeyes finished with nine hits.

“Logan Runde gave us a good start and had three shutdown innings,” said Heller. “Jaron Bleeker had to deal with the only defensive miscues of the weekend but was able to minimize the damage. That was great to see and a big step forward for us. Joe Husak gave us a 1-2-3 close in the ninth. When you keep working to improve each day, play hard and play together, good things usually come your way. I’m happy for our guys.”

UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes host Illinois State on Tuesday at 6:02 p.m. in a midweek contest.

OF NOTE
• The win was head coach Rick Heller’s 1,100th career victory.
• Iowa improved to 26-16 overall and 10-11 in Big Ten play.
• The save was the 16th of Joe Husak’s career.