IOWA CITY – The University of Iowa baseball team defeated Northwestern, 9-1, on Saturday night at Duane Banks Field.
“I was really happy,” said head coach Rick Heller. “There were so many quality at bats today where there was no reward. To finally have it break through shows you that the mentality was right. That it was next pitch, we can’t control what happened in the past. We didn’t let it fester and cause frustration, the guys just kept at it.”
The Hawkeyes were led on the mound by Brody Brecht who spun his third consecutive gem. The Ankeny, Iowa, native threw eight innings and struck out 12 while allowing just two hits and one run.
“Controlling what I can control,” said Brecht. “Taking it one pitch at a time, executing one pitch. Whether it’s a double, a home run or a strikeout I am going to approach that next pitch the same way.”
Brant Hogue pitched the final inning of the game and allowed a solo home run but forced a flyout and struck out two.
After falling behind 1-0 the Hawkeyes put up three runs in the fifth and one run in the sixth to take a 4-1 lead. A five-run eighth inning put the game away as Iowa poured on the insurance runs.
Raider Tello had a 3-for-4 day with two runs and two RBIs. Andy Nelson was 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs and Gable Mitchell was 2-for-4. Reese Moore added three RBIs including a two-run home run.
“It was a really good game overall,” said Heller. “All the way around, a good team win. The dugout was great. Everything was the way you would want it after a game like the one we had last night. There was no let down.”
The Hawkeyes will have a chance to sweep the series against the Wildcats in game three Sunday at 1:05 p.m. (CT) at Duane Banks Field.
