May 18, 2018
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IOWA CITY, Iowa ââ'¬" Iowa broke open an early pitchers' duel to defeat Penn State, 9-1, in Big Ten baseball action Friday evening on Banks Field.
The game was scoreless through the first four-and-a-half innings, but Iowa broke through for five runs in the bottom of the fifth. Six-straight Hawkeyes reached base on a five hits and a hit by pitch, and catcher Tyler Cropley and third baseman Matt Hoeg both hit two-run singles, while another run crossed on a passed ball.
Penn State got one run back in the top of the sixth, as catcher Ryan Sloniger (Punxsutawney, Pa.) doubled down the right line with one out, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and scored on a single to left field by third baseman Connor Klemann (Royersford, Pa.)
However, Iowa put the game out of reach for good though in the bottom of the seventh, adding four runs on just two hits, highlighted by a three-run double by Cropley.
RHP Cole McDonald started for the Hawkeyes and struck out seven in the first four innings, only yielding two walks and a hit. RHP Justin Hagenman (Voorhees, N.J.) (3-7) was strong through the first four innings for the Nittany Lions, allowing just one hit and one walk before Iowa got to him in the fifth.
RHP Grant Judkins (1-0) limited the Nittany Lions to the two hits and run in the sixth, striking out eight over the final five innings.
Cropley paced the Hawkeyes with five RBIs on his two hits, while second baseman Mitchell Boe went 3-for-4 with a walk and two runs scored.
Penn State will conclude its season against Iowa Saturday night. The game will be televised live on ESPNU starting at 7:30 p.m.
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