UI Athletics news release
EAST LANSING, Mich. – University of Iowa baseball lost the series opener to Michigan State, 2-0, at Jeff Ishbia Field at McLane Stadium on Friday afternoon.
The Hawkeyes moved to 13-7 overall and 2-2 in the Big Ten.
Sophomore Jaron Bleeker started on the mound and fired six innings. He allowed two runs on six hits. Bleeker fanned two Spartan hitters and walked one in his quality start. Sophomore Tyler Guerin pitched two scoreless innings out of the bullpen, while allowing one hit.
“That was a tough loss today,” said head coach Rick Heller. “Jaron Bleeker gave us a quality start, but we couldn’t get the offense going. It was a nice bounce back start for Bleeker. Tyler Guerin pitched great in the 7th and 8th. He and Bleeker pitched well enough to win. We only had two free bases and played well defensively. It’s rare to lose while only giving two freebies.”
Iowa’s offense collected five hits in the opener. Senior Miles Risley and redshirt sophomore Jaixen Frost had two hits apiece. Senior Caleb Wulf had Iowa’s other hit.
The Hawkeyes threatened immediately after senior Gable Mitchell drew a leadoff walk in the first inning. Risley singled and Wulf laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the two runners into scoring position. A flyout and strikeout ended Iowa’s chance to score in the first.
Michigan State struck in the first inning with a two-out RBI double. After getting runners to the corners and one out in the third, an inning-ending double play kept the Hawkeyes off the scoreboard. The Spartans tacked on its other run in the third with another two-out knock on an RBI single.
“Michigan State played and pitched well,” Heller added. “The Spartans only gave us one free base and they played great defensively. Poor execution in the 1st and 3rd innings cost us runs and set the tone for this one. Those were the only two innings we threatened or had lead-off guys get on base. We need to wipe it away and be better tomorrow.”
Of Note
- Caleb Wulf’s on-base streak jumped to 24 games after his single in the sixth inning.
- Gable Mitchell extended his on-base streak to 22 games after drawing a lead-off walk to start the game.
- Jaron Bleeker logged his second quality start of the season.
- Jaixen Frost collected his first multi-hit game of the season; Miles Risley notched his third.
- Friday’s contest was completed in 2:03. The last time Iowa completed a nine-inning game in less than 2:30 was a 1-0 win over Nebraska on April 11 of 2025.
Up Next: Due to inclement weather in the forecast, Iowa and Michigan State will finish their series Saturday with a doubleheader. Game one is set to begin at Noon (CT).