All Sports Schedule
A baseball pitcher in a white uniform with the name "ALIVO" and number 5 is mid-throw on the mound during a night game.A baseball pitcher in a white uniform with the name "ALIVO" and number 5 is mid-throw on the mound during a night game.
Brian Ray
Baseball

Hawkeyes Down Illinois in Series Opener

The Iowa baseball team opened its weekend series with a 9-3 victory over Illinois on Friday night.

Box Score

IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa baseball team opened its weekend series with a 9-3 victory over Illinois on Friday night at Duane Banks Field.

“I thought our guys were locked in,” said Iowa head coach Rick Heller. “I thought they were disciplined against Hall. He was locating well and mixing well, and then it just happened. I don’t really have anything to say other than that, because we had seven straight hits. I was really happy with our effort, our focus and our energy.”

The Hawkeyes struck first in the bottom of the first inning. Senior Miles Risley singled to left field, and senior Caleb Wulf followed with a base hit to advance Risley to third. Redshirt sophomore Max Burt drove in the game’s first run with a single up the middle.

Illinois responded with two runs in the fourth inning to take a 2-1 lead.

Iowa regained control with a six-run fifth inning. Senior Jaylen Ziegler opened the frame with a single to left field, and junior Kooper Schulte followed with a single through the right side. Ziegler later scored on a failed pickoff attempt. Mitchell then singled up the middle to drive in Schulte and tie the game.

Risley followed with a double off the left-field wall, scoring Mitchell from second to give Iowa the lead. Wulf kept the rally going with a single up the middle, setting the stage for Burt’s three-run home run. Redshirt junior Kellen Strohmeyer added a double to left-center, and Ziegler later reached on a fielder’s choice, bringing Strohmeyer home to cap the inning.

Illinois added a run in the seventh inning on a solo home run.

The Hawkeyes answered in the bottom half of the inning. Redshirt junior Ben Swails doubled to left field, and Schulte followed with a single through the left side to score Swails.

Sophomore Tyler Guerin made the start for Iowa, tossing three innings while allowing two runs and three hits with a pair of strikeouts. Redshirt freshman Kyle Alivo earned the win in relief, pitching five strong innings and allowing one run on four hits while striking out eight. Freshman Brolan Frost closed the game, striking out two in a scoreless ninth.

UP NEXT
Iowa and Illinois continue the series Saturday with first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m. (CT) at Duane Banks Field.