Iowa baseball team improves to 2-0 with 7-2 victory over Saint Joseph’s in Snowbird Classic
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – Ben Norman couldn’t have picked a much better way to celebrate his 22nd birthday.
The senior outfielder for the Iowa baseball team went 4-for-4, drove in two runs, scored two runs and stole a base during Saturday’s 7-2 victory over Saint Joseph’s in the Snowbird Classic.
He also did it in warm and sunny Florida, so as far as birthdays go, this is one that Norman, a graduate of Des Moines Roosevelt High School, will cherish forever.
"Luckily, we had a good scouting report on the guy and got some good pitches in some good locations and I got my barrell on it," Norman said. "I was just glad to get on base."
Freshman first baseman Peyton Williams also had a big impact with his bat, collecting two hits and driving in two runs.
"We just had a good approach and stuck to our plan throughout and got hits when we needed to and ended up on the good side," Norman said. "
The seven runs were more than enough for Iowa’s deep and experienced pitching staff, which allowed just four hits in Saturday’s game after having given up just five hits against Kent State in the season opener.
Senior pitcher Grant Judkins made his first start of the season and allowed just three hits and had six strikeouts over five innings.
Junior Trenton Wallace also shined in relief, allowing just one hit over three innings. He also recorded four strikeouts and had zero walks.
Iowa improved to 2-0 on the season after having edged Kent State 3-1 in the season opener on Friday.
The Hawkeyes will to try finish 3-0 in the Snowbird Classic when they face Pittsburgh at noon on Sunday.
Norman and senior Zeb Adreon both had back-to-back singles to lead off the game. They both then scored on a 2-run single by Williams.
Junior second baseman Izaya Fullard then scored on a wild pitch to give Iowa a 3-0 lead in the first inning.
Norman collected his third hit of the game in the fifth inning and then scored on a Fullard ground out, expanding the lead to 4-0.
Senior catcher Austin Martin then drove in Williams with a two-out RBI single to give Iowa a 5-0 lead in the fifth inning.
Saint Joseph's scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth on a single and two doubles.
But then Norman struck again, driving in two more runs in the eighth inning with his fourth hit of the game.
He also walked once and reached base on each of his five plate appearances.