IOWA CITY – The University of Iowa men’s baseball team rolled to victory over the Grand View Vikings, 25-3, on Tuesday evening at Duane Banks Field.
Fueled by a 15 run fifth inning the Hawkeyes put up the 25 runs on 27 hits, tying a school record set in 1986.
Anthony Watts got the start on the mound for the Hawkeyes in a bullpen game. Nine pitchers saw action for Iowa and held the Vikings to three runs on eight hits. Gannon Archer, Ben DeTaeye and Justin Hackett each struck out three in their inning of work.
The Hawkeyes allowed just one walk and one hit by pitch while striking out 14.
“The pitching was outstanding today,” said head coach Rick Heller. “Really happy with the way we went out there. Had a couple guys give up hits, but the thing I really liked was that they just went back to work and that is what you have to do. That was a really good sign.”
It was a parade around the bases for the Iowa offense. The Hawkeyes were led by Raider Tello who was 3-for-4 with six RBIs, Gable Mitchell was 4-for-6 with three RBIs and Davis Cop added three RBIs on a home run.
Four other Hawkeyes each tallied two RBIs: Andy Nelson (4-for-4), Kyle Huckstorf (4-for-5), Blake Guerin (1-for-3) and Michael Seegers (2-for-4).
“That was unbelievable,” said Heller. “A bunch of guys got in the game, and a bunch of guys produced hits. Every inning. Like we talked about this past weekend, a quality at bat is a quality at bat. Not chasing, not expanding the zone, not getting yourself out. Talking what they give you and then when you do get a good pitch, do some damage with it. We are in a good place right now offensively.”
Iowa returns to action on Friday opening Big Ten play against Purdue in West Lafayette, Indiana at 3 p.m. (CT).
Notables
The Hawkeyes set the school record for singles in a game with 21 (was 19, vs. Quincy, 1989)
The Hawkeyes tied the school record for hits in a game with 27 (Murray State, 1986)
The Hawkeyes tied school record for runs in an inning with 15 (UNI, 4th Inning, 1985)
