Hawkeyes Down Gophers to Win Series

IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa baseball team defeated Minnesota, 5–4, in the series finale Sunday afternoon at Duane Banks Field to win the three-game set.

“They answered the bell; they answered the call,” head coach Rick Heller said. “After a rough Friday, all the guys that went out there went out and attacked.”

Senior Logan Runde earned the start for the Hawkeyes, pitching seven strong innings while allowing four hits and one run with five strikeouts. Senior Joe Husak followed in relief, throwing 1 1/3 innings and surrendering three hits and three runs. Junior Beau Leisure earned the save, pitching the final 2/3 of an inning with one strikeout.

“Just getting ahead of hitters,” Runde said. “Not falling behind in counts. I didn’t have that many strikeouts today, but my defense worked behind me, and they were unbelievable. Just let them work, that’s a recipe for success.”

Iowa struck first in the opening inning. Senior Gable Mitchell doubled to left field and scored on a single up the middle by senior Caleb Wulf. Later in the inning, senior Kooper Schulte singled through the right side to bring home Wulf and give the Hawkeyes an early 2–0 lead.

The Hawkeyes added to their advantage in the fourth. Redshirt freshman Brett White and redshirt sophomore Jaixen Frost drew back-to-back walks, and Mitchell was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Wulf followed with a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring White.

Minnesota got on the board in the sixth with a solo home run to center field, trimming Iowa’s lead to 3–1.

Iowa answered again in the seventh. Senior Joey Nerat singled through the right side to drive in Wulf from second base, and a successful double steal by senior Miles Risley and Nerat pushed the Hawkeyes’ lead to 5–1.

The Gophers plated three runs in the ninth on a three-run home run to right field, but Leisure closed the door to secure the win.

Up Next

Iowa travels to Los Angeles on April 10–12 for a three-game series against USC at Dedeaux Field.