UI Athletics news release
IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa baseball team beat Lindenwood, 11-6, on Friday afternoon at Duane Banks Field, taking the first game of the three-game series.
Sophomore Jaron Bleeker secured his third win on the mound, working through six innings, allowing two runs on six hits while recording eight strikeouts. Senior Justin Hackett entered in the seventh to finish the game for the Hawkeyes, earning the save.
“This was a great way to start of the series” said head coach Rick Heller. “Jaron was outstanding in his first weekend start for us. He pounded the zone with all of his pitches and kept the leadoff guy off the first six innings, which is big when the wind was blowing out.”
Senior Mitch Wood got things started with a base hit to left field in the second inning for the Hawkeyes. Redshirt sophomore Max Burt then doubled down the right-field line, advancing Wood to third. Wood later scored on a wild pitch. Jaixen Frost grounded out down the left-field line, scoring Burt.
The Hawkeyes added to their led in the fifth when senior Kooper Schulte delivered a solo home run to extend Iowa’s lead to 3–0. After redshirt sophomore Jaixen Frost reached base on a throwing error in the sixth, redshirt junior Jaylen Ziegler drove him in with a triple.
“A lot of positives on offense up and down the lineup” said head coach Rick Heller. “We got a big day out of Jaylen in the nine-hole and Mitch had a big home run and scored three runs. We beat a very good pitcher today, the Ohio Valley Pitcher of the Year (2025, who is off to a good start. ”
Lindenwood added three runs in the top of the seventh, but the Hawkeyes answered back when senior Caleb Wulf recorded his second hit of the game with a double up the middle. Wood then launched a three-run home run, scoring Wulf and Strohmeyer for his second homer of the season to extend Iowa’s advantage to five.
In the bottom of the eighth, senior Joey Nerat singled to right field, advancing Wood to third base and scoring Strohmeyer. Burt followed with a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Wood.
Lindenwood added four runs in the top of the ninth.
OF NOTE
– Wood and Schulte both recorded their second home runs of the season.
– Jaylen Ziegler leads the team in triples with two, one being in today’s game.
– Bleeker secured his third win of the season, leading the staff with 16 Ks overall.
– Justin Hackett secured his first save of the season.
– Iowa reached base on every full count today (8-of-8).
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes return to action tomorrow at 3:02 p.m. (CT) to face Lindenwood in the second game of the series.