IOWA CITY, Iowa – The Hawkeyes were playing at full capacity going (2-1) this weekend at the DQ Classic. The Hawkeyes had a closer than wanted (7-6) win against Hawaii, a surprising (7-3) win against Oral Roberts, and a close (6-3) loss against Minnesota.
Weekend Summary:
The first game of the weekend against Hawaii featured the Iowa batters once again being on fire as they chalked up a season high 17 hits and 7 runs with 2 HRs. The final of this game wasn’t a real representation of how this game went as the score was 7-3 going into the final inning of the game until the Rainbow Warriors scored 3 runs in the ninth until the Hawkeyes could close the game out with the tying run at third. Besides for the 9th inning, Iowa’s pitching was a highlight with ace Nick Gallagher pitching a career best 8 innings allowing only 3 runs and 7 hits.
After an offensive game on the previous day, Iowa didn’t slow down on offense as the had a barnburner of a win over Oral Roberts. The game started with Iowa hopping ahead 3-0 in the top of the first inning after first baseman Jake Adams drove in three with a home run. Iowa proceeded to homer again from Matt Hoeg in fourth. However, with Iowa batting well and getting in runs, Oral Roberts was doing the same. Scoring 4 runs through 6, tightening the game up to 5-4 in the six. Iowa ended up extending the lead to 7-4 in the 8th, securing the victory. Iowa would finish with 10 hits during the game with 3 HRs and allowing only 7 hits. Overall a great win for the Hawkeyes.
Iowa did have a low point in the weekend. On Sunday against Minnesota both pitching and hitting for the Hawks struggled to be successful. Iowa was able to keep the game close at 4-3 with a first inning bomb from Robert Neustrom. That was the best Iowa would do from the plate as they only got 4 hits with a game hitting average of .138. The game however was sitting at 4-3 until the 8th inning where Minnesota knocked in two more runs to have the final of 6-3. Iowa gave up a total of 9 hits with 6 runs.
Key Player Spotlight:
Hottest Bat: Chris Whelan, Robert Neustrom, and Jake Adams
McCoy, Whelan, and Neustrom all were at the top of their game this week. Neustrom hitting a bomb of a home run on sunday extended his hitting streak to 10 games. Chris Whelan again was
hitting great at the lead off role in the lineup, hitting for .500 (6-12) over the weekend with 2 RBI’s and 4 runs scored. Moving him up to the front has looked to have been the best decision manager Rick Heller. Finally, Jake Adams added two more home runs to his season total leading the Hawkeyes with 4. Adams went .417 (5-12) over the weekend with 6 RBI’s and 2 runs.
Most Improved: Ben Norman
Freshman Ben Norman had a breakout weekend in Minneapolis. He went .500 (6-12) at the plate with 2 runs scored and 3 RBI’s. Going into the weekend he was batting (2-13) which was one of the lowest out of Iowa starters. Going from batting .154 to .320 in one weekend is quite the accomplishment.
Next Week Preview:
Iowa takes on Northern Illinois at home on Tuesday March 7th at Duane Banks Field. Then over the weekend they head down to Florida to take on Villanova, Bucknell, and a double header against Lehigh University.
