UI Athletics news release
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The University of Iowa baseball team evened its series with Penn State at one game apiece with a 13–4 victory Saturday afternoon at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
Iowa (12-6, 1-1 Big Ten) scored in seven of the nine innings and finished with 19 hits — its second-highest total of the season and its 13th game with 10 or more hits.
“Really happy with our team and how we bounced back after a tough loss yesterday,” said head coach Rick Heller. “Logan Runde did exactly what we needed him to do. He gave us a great start, a quality start. The offense threatened in virtually every inning and scored in seven different innings.”
The Hawkeyes struck early with single runs in each of the first three innings before breaking the game open with a four-run fifth. Iowa added two runs in the sixth, one in the seventh and three more in the ninth to pull away.
Joey Nerat led the offensive attack, going 4-for-6 with five RBIs, including two doubles and a home run. Caleb Wulf finished 3-for-5 with three runs scored and a home run, while Brett White went 2-for-6 with three RBIs and a homer. Gable Mitchell and Kooper Schulte each recorded multiple hits.
Runde earned the win on the mound, allowing two runs on two hits over six innings with six strikeouts. Iowa relievers Tate Slagle, Beau Leisure, Joe Husak and Justin Hackett combined to limit Penn State to two runs over the final three innings.
Penn State (5-12, 1-1 Big Ten) scored once in the fourth inning, once in the sixth and twice in the eighth.
“To hold them to two hits on the day,” said Heller. “The four runs on two hits is something you don’t really want to see, but the quality start was there by Runde. The offense was tremendous. Joey Nerat had a four-hit day with five RBIs, and Brett White started today and had two hits, a homer and three RBIs. We had hits up and down the lineup, I think every starter had a hit today. Couldn’t be happier with how we played after a tough loss in the opener.”
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes and Nittany Lions conclude the three-game series Sunday at noon (CT) at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.