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Hawkeyes fall in game 2 against Texas Tech

On3 imageby: Kyle Huesmann03/12/23HuesmannKyle
Brody Brecht
Photo by Dennis Scheidt

The Iowa Baseball came into the weekend with a 10-1 record, which was good for their best start since 1942. They came into the weekend with an opportunity to add to their early season resume against perennial power Texas Tech. All the sudden, after two games, the Hawkeyes are staring a potential sweep in the face. The Red Raiders used some eighth inning insurance to pick up the 8-3 victory. Texas Tech is now 13-0 at Rip Griffin Park this season.

“Offensively, we could definitely be in a better place, but I thought our focus was good today,” said head coach Rick Heller. “Tip your hat, Texas Tech pitched us pretty well. That is a game you have to win 5-4, we just weren’t able to do it. They beat us today, they swung the bats better, they took advantage of the wind better with some home runs and extra base hits. Disappointing, but it wasn’t a lack of physical effort or preparation we just got beat today.”  

Brody Brecht made the start on the mound for the Hawkeyes and really gave them a chance to win. He threw 58.5% of his 106 pitches for strikes and registered seven strikeouts to three walks over 5.2 innings.

The Hawkeyes had a prime chance to get on the board in the third inning, after a Cade Moss single and a Michael Seegers double set the table with no outs. Red Raiders starter Mason Molina got two K’s and a flyout to end the threat. However, Iowa cashed in on their opportunity in the fourth inning. Sam Petersen drove in Sam Hojnar with an RBI double to put the Hawkeyes up 1-0.

Texas Tech was able to tie things up in the fifth inning with an RBI groundout from Hudson White. The Red Raiders hit Iowa with a dose of ‘Hellerball’ in the sixth inning to take the lead. Gage Harrelson stole home on the throw back to the mound from catcher Cade Moss.

Zach Voelker came on from the bullpen and for the first time all season, he was hittable. Texas Tech added on to their lead in the seventh with a two-run triple from Tracer Lopez. That lengthened the lead to 4-1. This time, the Hawkeyes had an answer.

Kyle Huckstorf led off the eighth inning with a mammoth 474 foot solo home run. Keaton Anthony followed with a double into the gap to continue the rally. Sam Hojnar knocked him in with an infield single, but Trendan Parish came on from the bullpen and got Ben Wilmes to ground out to end the inning. The lead, however, was cut to 4-3.

“I thought we came out and fought hard,” said Heller. “We knew Molina was in our opinion their most talented starter, we saw him last year. We knew he would be a tough matchup.”   

All Iowa needed was a zero on the scoreboard and they would have a chance to tie the game in the ninth inning. However, the Red Raiders got to Voelker again. Gavin Kash and Dylan Maxcey each hit solo home runs to extend the lead to 6-3. Voelker followed that up with back-to-back walks and Nolen Hester delivered a two-run double, which felt like the the knockout blow to the Hawkeyes comeback.

Trendan Parish stayed in for the ninth and worked around a couple of walks. He got Brennen Dorighi to ground out and the Red Raiders defeated Iowa 8-3 to clinch the weekend series.

“We were hoping to get a quality start out of Brody Brecht which we did,” said Heller. “Brody was good. Tight game and we give up runs in the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth. Really disappointing after we rally and make it a 4-3 game in the top of the eighth.”  

The Iowa offense had eight hits, including two hits from Kyle Huckstorf and Sam Hojnar. Once again, the Hawkeyes struggled to get timely hits. They were just 3/18 (.167) with runners on base and 2/15 (.133) with runners in scoring position. Texas Tech wasn’t much better, but kept innings going. They were 5/12 (.417) with two outs and drew three two out walks.

What this means for the bigger picture

The Hawkeyes really need a win tomorrow. With projected quad 4 weekend series against South Dakota State and Western Michigan to wrap up non-conference play, Iowa needs to add another quality win to the resume. A sweep would be a big miss at an opportunity to build on their good start to the season.

Up next for the Hawkeyes…

With the loss, Iowa falls to 10-3 on the season. They wrap up the series with the Red Raiders tomorrow. Marcus Morgan will take the mound for the Hawkeyes, while it will be Kyle Robinson for Texas Tech. First pitch is set for 1:00pm on ESPN+.