Hawkeyes lose late lead, drop series at Indiana
Although the disadvantages for midwest college baseball teams compared to the southern and west coast squads are frustrating, missing opportunities and losing games you need to win to give yourself a chance is even more infuriating. The Iowa Baseball team got runners on base in every inning, but mustered just two runs, while Indiana scored three eighth inning runs clinch the series with a 4-2 victory. The Hawkeyes dropped back-to-back games in the late innings and have now lost their first two Big Ten series of the season.
The Iowa offense wasted no time getting on the board, taking advantage of a couple of free bases from Hoosiers starter Seti Manase. Sam Hojnar drove in Brennen Dorighi with an RBI groundout to get the Hawkeyes a 1-0 lead. While bases loaded and 1 out yielded just one run, they would end up wishing that they could have gotten just one run in a few more innings.
In the third, Keaton Anthony led off with a double, which was followed by Raider Tello getting hit by a pitch in the wrist. Tello stayed in the game to run the bases, but later exited the game. Meanwhile, Indiana reliver Craig Yoho retired three straight batters to end the threat.
Again in the fifth, the Hawkeyes had another prime chance to score. A walk and an error by Yoho set the table for Iowa with just one out. However, Kyle Huckstorf struck out and Michael Seegers grounded out to end the inning. The offense finished the day just 1/23 with runners on base and 0/10 with runners in scoring position.
Luckily for Iowa, Indiana was struggling with the same issues. Ty Langenberg went 5.1 innings, allowing six hits, while walking three and striking out two. He was able to wiggle out of runners on the corners in the first thanks to an inning ending 5-4-3 double play.
In the second, the Hoosiers got their first two batters on base, but a unique inning ending 4-6-2 double play ended another threatening inning.
Langenberg allowed 12 baserunners, but none of them scored. He exited in sixth inning with runners on the corners and just one out. Reliever Luke Llewellyn got a strikeout and a groundout to end that Indiana scoring chance.
The Hoosiers were finally able to break through in the seventh inning. A single and an error by Llewellyn put two runners on base, while Bobby Whalen delivered an RBI single off of Jacob Henderson to tie the game at 1. Iowa answered back in the eighth with some help from the Indiana defense.
Michael Seegers reached base with a leadoff single, but found himself on third base after a sacrifice bunt and a groundout. Ben Wilmes hit what appeared to be an inning ending groundball, but 2B Tyler Cerny fumbled it, which allowed Seegers to score and make it 2-1 Hawkeyes.
After working through baserunners all day and limiting the Hoosiers to just one run, it all came crashing down in the bottom of the eighth. With runners on the corners, #9 hitter Peter Serruto delivered his fourth hit of the day, an RBI single to tie the game at 2. Cade Obermueller came on from the bullpen, but a hit by pitch was followed by a Bobby Whalen two-run single to make it 4-2 Hoosiers.
“Ty Langenburg was falling behind putting guys on early in the game, but we found ways to wiggle out of it with a bunch of double plays. Defense played really well,” said Heller. “We were living on the edge all day and it finally caught up with us.”
Indiana reliever Brayden Risedorph allowed the run in the eighth, but retired the side in the ninth to clinch the series victory for Indiana. The Hawkeyes got the leadoff runner on base in five of nine innings, but left 12 runners on base.
Keaton Anthony came to play, as he racked up three hits in five at bats. However, the rest of the lineup was just 3/28 (.107).
“We had opportunities,” said Heller. “They gave us some free bases and we didn’t get the clutch hit. We had some guys that struggled this weekend. It was a tough day. You get to the eighth and you get a lead, you like to think you can hold on to it. We just didn’t get the job done.”
Up next for the Hawkeyes…
The loss today is a critical one, as Iowa not only falls to 22-8, but they are now just 2-4 in Big Ten play with series losses to Maryland and the Hoosiers. The Hawkeyes fall to just #56 in the RPI, but they are now just 6-7 against Quad 1 and 2 teams. Up next, Iowa will welcome the Milwaukee Panthers to Iowa City for some midweek action on Wednesday. First pitch is set for 4:05pm on BTN+.
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