CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – The 20th ranked University of Iowa baseball team won its season opener on Friday evening, 5-2, against Seton Hall at Detyens Field at Shipyard Park.
Junior Brody Brecht got the nod on the mound for Iowa. The Ankeny, Iowa, native allowed one run – on one hit – while striking out 11 Pirates in 4 1/3 innings of work. Brecht walked six and hit one batter.
“It was a solid win against a good Seton Hall team,” said head coach Rick Heller. “Brody Brecht was off a little in his first two innings but worked out of it. Once he settled in, he fanned eight in a row. Jack Whitlock came in with the bases loaded in the fifth and pitched great for us. Zach Voelker faced the same scenario in the ninth with the tying run at first base with one out. He was great punching out the next two hitters to secure the win.”
With the bases loaded junior Jack Whitlock entered and struck out both batters he faced. Whitlock threw 3 1/3 in relief allowing three hits and one run.
Junior Sam Hart made his first appearance out of the Hawkeye bullpen, allowing a single, forcing a ground out, and walking two. Redshirt junior Zach Voelker came in and closed the door striking out the final two batters with the bases loaded and the winning run at the plate.
Junior Sam Petersen got his season started with a first inning blast to left. The Huxley, Iowa, native went 3-for-5 with a home run, a double, three runs scored and two stolen bases.
“Sam Petersen had a great game both with the bat and on the bases,” said Heller. “He gave us a quick lead. Raider Tello had some big at bats driving in those three runs on three hits, and his other two balls were hit hard.”
Redshirt junior Raider Tello was 3-for-5 with three RBIs. Sophomore Gable Mitchell had a sacrifice bunt for an RBI and senior Andy Nelson swiped two bags.
The Hawkeyes plated a run in the third inning after Petersen doubled and stole third and Tello singled up the middle. Iowa added three insurance runs in the fourth, one on the Mitchell sacrifice and two on a single from Tello to left center.
The Pirates were able to get a run back in the sixth, but the Hawkeye bullpen prevented any further damage and sent the Pirates packing.
“We played great defense tonight,” said Heller. “It will be a quick turnaround for tomorrow and we will face another good team in Ball State. We need to be a lot better on offense as a team and hopefully cut the walks down on the mound.”
OF NOTE
It is the sixth time in the Rick Heller era that Iowa has opened the season with a victory.
Davis Cop and Sam Hart made their Hawkeye debuts.
Zach Voelker recorded his second career save.
NEXT UP
The Hawkeyes (1-0) return to action Saturday, facing Ball State at 11 a.m. (CT) in Game 2 of the Swig and Swine College Classic.
