By Hawkeyesports.com

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa baseball team beat Indiana, 2-1, in 10-innings during the series opener at Duane Banks Field on Friday evening.

With one out in the bottom of the 10th, Blake Guerin laid a two-strike squeeze bunt down the first base line to score Miles Risley for the win. It was Guerin’s first walkoff hit of his career.

“It was a slider, and I pushed it a little too hard and didn’t let myself try and get it down,” said Guerin of his bunt attempt on the first pitch of the at-bat. “So, then I was ready to go, ready to put the ball in play and try and score Ris in that situation. Thankfully they gave me the bunt sign again, and I was ready for it that second time.”

“Blake’s a smart player,” said head coach Rick Heller. “It’s really not as risky of a play as you might think because if it’s a ball, you can just pull it back. I thought it would be a good opportunity for Blake to get it down. He’s a very good bunter. People probably think he isn’t because he’s a big guy, but he’s a great bunter. I just felt really good that he would get it down if it was a strike.”

Iowa (29-12, 18-4) had nine hits to Indiana’s four and batted .243 overall. The Hawkeyes left 10 runners on base, while the Hoosiers stranded 13.

The Hoosiers (23-19, 12-10) took a 1-0 lead in the first after an RBI single up the middle. The Iowa offense was quiet until the bottom of the sixth frame when Daniel Rogers tied the game up with a solo shot to right field. After Risley walked in the 10th, Rogers singled to right field to advance him into scoring position at third. Risley ended up scoring the winning run.

“Rogers had a great night tonight,” said Heller. “He’s really seeing the ball well and smoking the ball. We put the hit-and-run on, and he came through.”

Cade Obermueller started on the mound for Iowa. He threw 5 2/3 innings, giving up one run on two hits while walking four and striking out six. Chas Wheatley entered the game as Indiana was threatening to score with two outs, but he earned a strikeout to escape the inning and keep Iowa’s deficit at one. Wheatley pitched 1 1/3 innings and struck out two, yielding one hit and one walk.

After Wheatley walked the leadoff batter in the eighth inning, Brant Hogue came in to pitch. He struck out six batters over 2 1/3 innings to keep the Hawkeyes in the game. After Iowa couldn’t plate a run in the bottom of the ninth, it turned to extra innings in Iowa City.

Anthony Watts entered the game with one out in the 10th and forced a line out and fly out to keep the game tied, giving the Hawkeyes a chance to walk it off in the bottom half of the frame and earning Watts the win.

“I think Hogue was outstanding,” said Heller. “We really didn’t want to have to go to Watts tonight unless we absolutely had to or had a lead before the ninth. Tony came in and did the job.”

Up Next

Iowa and Indiana will continue the series tomorrow with game two. First pitch is set for 2:02 p.m. (CDT) at Duane Banks Field. The game will be broadcast on B1G+ and the Hawkeye Radio Network.