Hawkeyes Power Up Against Ohio State

Iowa Baseball Takes Down Ohio State, 16-9, Friday at Banks

IOWA CITY, Iowa - Iowa’s hitters noticed something when they arrived at Duane Banks Field on Friday.

No wind.

“The wind blows in here a lot,” left fielder Sam Petersen said. “On the day when it’s a hitter’s ballpark, you know when you show up what type of day it’s going to be.”

Petersen had two home runs and Brennen Dorighi had a grand slam as the Hawkeyes defeated Ohio State 16-9 to open a three-game Big Ten series.

Iowa (33-11 overall, 9-6 Big Ten) had 13 hits and took advantage of nine walks from the Buckeyes (22-23, 5-14). The Hawkeyes scored in seven of their eight innings on offense, and every starter reached base at least once.

That kind of offense was important, because five Iowa pitchers combined for 10 walks. Only Luke Llewellyn, who pitched the final 1 ⅓ innings, didn’t give up a run.

“I thought our guys showed a lot of toughness today,” said Iowa coach Rick Heller. “Dorighi set the tone with the grand slam, and we took advantage of their free bases, and survived ours.”

The Hawkeyes have dealt with typical spring weather all season — which always means wind — so on a calm night they didn’t even mind the light rain that fell for most of the game.

“Us hitters joke about how we have to take advantage of these days where we play,” Petersen said, laughing. “We don’t get to play down south, where it’s always warm.”

“The hitters know when the wind is blowing in or not,” Dorighi said.

The Hawkeyes trailed 2-1 before taking control of the game with a six-run third inning.

Dorighi started the scoring with his grand slam, then Petersen followed two batters later with a two-run shot to left field.

“I wanted to get my best swing off when I got my pitch,” said Dorighi, who had his third home run of the week, and now leads the Hawkeyes with 10. “I wasn’t sure (it was a home run). I knew I got it to the outfield to get the guy on third in for a run, for sure. That was the most important thing. Once I got it into the outfield I felt good, and when it went over the fence, that was even better.”

Petersen, who has recovered from a hand injury suffered early in the season, added a solo home run in the sixth inning and a single in the eighth.

“Really recently, teams have been forcing fastballs in on me because of my hand,” Petersen said. “It’s been a pitch I’ve struggled with since I returned from my injury. I’ve kind of learned to sit on (fastballs) a little, and since I’ve gotten healthier it’s gotten easier. Every day it’s gotten better.”

Petersen scored three runs, as did Ben Wilmes and Cade Moss. Michael Seegers tripled twice and scored once. Moss had two hits and reached base in all five plate appearances.

“Offensively, it was just a pretty impressive night,” Heller said. “We had guys getting on base, and then guys delivering a blow. Petersen gets the two-run homer after the grand slam, Michael Seegers had two triples, and Cade Moss was on base four or five times. Just a really, really solid offensive performance.”

The Hawkeyes were without Keaton Anthony, their leading hitter with a .389 average. Anthony had started every game this season.

The university released a statement after Friday’s game, saying, “Due to a potential NCAA violation, we withheld some student-athletes from competition. We will have no additional comments, as this is an ongoing investigation.” No players were identified in the statement.

Iowa starter Brody Brecht lasted just 2 ⅔ innings, walking four and striking out two while allowing two runs. Brecht threw 66 pitches, 30 for strikes, but Heller thought he showed some improvement.

Brecht got out of a bases-loaded situation in the first with no runs, and didn’t give up a run in the second after the Buckeyes got runners on first and third with two outs.

“I think it was a lot better than what it was,” Heller said. “I don’t think it was what he would want, and what we would want. But he fought. He fought through some jams. The great thing is he wants to be out there. He doesn’t want to come out. We just have to keep working, try to avoid putting leadoff guys on without earning it.”