Hawks Walk Off Gophers

IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa baseball team evened the series with Minnesota in dramatic fashion Saturday, closing the game with a walk-off home run from redshirt freshman Carter Geffre to post a 3–2 victory at Duane Banks Field.

“That was tremendous, exactly what we needed, maybe to get things going,” said head coach Rick Heller. “We had production up and down the lineup. It wasn’t a lot, but it was spread throughout, which was good to see. Win or lose, that is how we have to play, and I was really pleased with how the guys responded after a tough one yesterday. They rallied, went out and played hard today and found a way to get it done.”

Minnesota struck first with a solo home run to right field in the second inning.

Iowa answered in the fourth when senior Miles Risley drew a walk. Senior Joey Nerat followed with a single to left-center, advancing Risley to third. Geffre then delivered a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Risley and tying the game at one.

The Gophers regained the lead in the sixth inning on a wild pitch to take a 2–1 advantage.

Mitchell sparked Iowa’s response in the bottom of the sixth, reaching base on a throwing error and advancing all the way to third. Senior Caleb Wulf followed with a single through the left side, driving in Mitchell to even the score again.

Geffre ended the game on the first pitch of the bottom of the ninth, launching a walk-off home run to left field to seal the 3–2 victory.

“It’s unreal,” said Geffre. “I don’t even really know what happened. I’m just excited right now.”

Senior Maddux Frese earned the start for Iowa, throwing 6 1/3 innings while allowing four hits and two runs with four strikeouts. Redshirt freshman Kyle Alivo picked up his second win of the season with a strong relief outing, pitching 2 2/3 innings while allowing just one hit and striking out two.

UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes and Gophers conclude the three-game series Sunday at 1:02 p.m. (CT) at Duane Banks Field.