UI Athletic news release
Sophomore Jaron Bleeker earned his first win of the season, pitching 4 2/3 innings with two strikeouts, no walks, and allowing just two hits with no runs. Redshirt freshman Kyle Alivo closed out the game with 2 2/3 innings, striking out three and allowing two hits.
“Jaron Bleeker stepped up big time for us today,” said head coach Rick Heller. “Logan Runde was pitching great when he had to come out in the second inning with an injury. After that Bleeker gave us 4 2/3 scoreless innings, and he didn’t walk a batter. Redshirt freshman Kyle Alivo threw the final 2 1/3 and pitched well.”
Iowa added two more runs in the top of the sixth. Senior Mitch Wood hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Strohmeyer. With two outs, Nerat stole second, and on the throw down, senior Kooper Schulte stole home, pushing the score to 4-0.
In the seventh, senior Caleb Wulf singled up the middle, driving in senior Gable Mitchell from second base. The Hawkeyes capped the scoring in the top of the ninth when senior Miles Risley had an RBI fielder’s choice that brought in Mitchell for Iowa’s sixth run.
The Owls broke the shutout in the bottom of the ninth, scoring their lone run of the game.
“The offense scored two early then added late scoring four in the last four innings to put it away,” said Heller. “Joey Nerat had a big day with three doubles. Gable Mitchell and Caleb Wulf each had two hits. We played great defense. On a hot day we were a little flat at times at the plate but found a way to get the job done.”
OF NOTE
– Nerat led the team going 3-for-3 with three doubles, one RBI and one walk.
– Bleeker threw a career-high 4 2/3 innings.
– Caleb Wulf has not stuck out this season in four games and 24 at bats.
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes return to action tomorrow for their final game of the series against Florida Atlantic at 10 a.m. (CT).