“Maddux Frese battled for us today,” said head coach Rick Heller. “He was just outstanding again. What was impressive was that he didn’t have his best stuff or command, but he found a way to get it done. Ganon Archer came into a bases-loaded jam in the eighth and got us out of it, then finished it off in the ninth.
“Our offense was able to take advantage of some free bases in the first to give Frese a 3-0 lead to work with. Kellen Strohmeyer and Max Burt both homered, combining to drive in five runs. We played great defense again today, with Joey Nerat making another fantastic catch to end the game.”
The Hawkeyes jumped out to an early lead in the first inning. Senior Kooper Schulte drew a walk, and senior Gable Mitchell followed with a single to second base. Schulte came around to score on a wild pitch to give Iowa the early advantage. Mitchell later scored on a groundout to second, and redshirt freshman Carter Geffre kept the momentum going with a single through the right side to drive in senior Miles Risley.
Geffre sparked the fourth inning with a leadoff walk before redshirt junior Kellen Strohmeyer drove a home run to right field.
Iowa added to its lead in the sixth inning when senior Caleb Wulf led off with a double to left field. Geffre followed with a single up the middle to move Wulf to third. Redshirt sophomore Max Burt then lifted a fly ball to center field, bringing Wulf home.
The Hoosiers got on the board in the seventh inning with a solo home run down the left-field line.
The Hawkeyes pushed the lead further in the eighth inning. Wulf reached on a fielding error, and Strohmeyer also reached on an error, allowing Wulf to score from second base. Burt followed with a two-run home run to left field.
Indiana plated a run in the eighth inning after loading the bases and scoring on a walk.
Iowa starter Maddux Frese earned the win after tossing seven innings, allowing two hits and one run while striking out two.
UP NEXT
Iowa and Indiana wrap up the series Sunday with first pitch set for noon CT at Bart Kaufman Field.
