IOWA CITY – The University of Iowa baseball team defeated Michigan State, 8-6, to clinch the three-game series on Saturday afternoon at Duane Banks Field.
After a 1:15 minute rain delay during the fifth inning Michigan State tied the game, 5-5. The Hawkeyes put up three in the eighth to pull away and claim the win.
“We needed to find a way to win a game like that against a really good team,” said head coach Rick Heller. “A lot of the wins here in the last few weeks we have scored a ton of runs. We haven’t won one like that in a long time. Where you had to make pitches. Every pitch mattered late in the game. Had to find a way to score a couple runs late.”
Ty Langenberg got the start throwing five innings of two run ball. Aaron Savary pitched an inning allowing a run.
Will Christophersen earned the win throwing two innings and striking out three. Luke Llewellyn threw the final frame and earned the save.
Brennen Dorighi led the Hawkeyes with a 2-for-4 day hitting two home runs and bringing home three RBIs. Ben Wilmes was 2-for-4 with a home run and a pair of RBIs.
“The balance is just awesome,” said Heller. “You don’t have to rely on a couple guys to get it done. Cade in the nine hole gets that inning started. The top picked us up today after they didn’t do a lot last night, the middle part of the lineup really got it done last night. Dorighi obviously had a big game with the two home runs. Wilmes had a really good game today both offensively and defensively.”
Sam Hojnar was 2-for-3 with two doubles and an RBI, and Sam Petersen was 1-for-3 with two RBIs.
In the first game of the series on Friday, Iowa shutout Michigan State, 9-0.
Marcus Morgan got the start for the Hawkeyes and did not allow a hit through six innings of work. He struck out six en route to the win. Jared Simpson finished the contest earning a three-inning save while striking out three and holding the Spartans to three hits.
“It was a great start,” said head coach Rick Heller. “He had really good stuff. Fastball was good. Cutter, slider, and change were all good after he got things established in the first inning. He settled in and didn’t give up a hit.”
Sam Petersen was 4-for-4 with a solo home run and two runs scored. Brayden Frazier was 2-for-4 with a double and a home run tallying two RBIs. Cade Moss and Raider Tello each added two RBIs for Iowa.
“We played as well as we have played in a long time,” said Heller. “Offensively, we were solid. Petersen and Frazier were really good tonight.”
The Hawkeyes outhit the Spartans, 11-3, and tallied three two out RBIs.
OF NOTE
Iowa improves to 35-12 and 11-7 in Big Ten Play
The Hawkeyes are 20-3 at Duane Banks Field. That is tied for the second most-in a single season (2018) trailing only the 22 wins in 1977.
Marcus Morgan improves to 4-2 on the season with a 3.03 ERA in Big Ten play.
This was the 10th multi-hit game this season for Petersen and the 20th of his career. His home run was his 9th of the season.
Iowa improves to 22-1 when scoring nine or more runs.
This was the third shutout of the season for the Hawkeyes.