Altoona, IA – Iowa narrowly avoided a midweek upset to D3 Loras College. Iowa led 1-0 for most of the early portion of the game on a home run by Robert Neustrom. Loras scored their first run in the seventh with an RBI single, before scoring three in the 8th to take a 4-1 lead. Iowa immediately answered, by loading the bases in the bottom of the 8th with two walks and a hit by pitch. Matt Hoeg stepped to the plate with two outs, and he cleared the bases with a three run double to tie the game. After a 1-2-3 top of the 9th, Justin Jenkins lead off the bottom of the ninth with a double and Austin Guzzo ended the game with a two run home run. Iowa won 6-4.
Iowa only had 7 hits, by 7 different players. Robert Neustrom went 1-3 with a solo homer, 2 runs scored, and one walk. Matt Hoeg went 1-3 with 3 RBIs, while Austin Guzzo went 1-2 with the walk off two run homer off the bench.
Iowa had a great performance on the mound from starter Grant Judkins. He went 4 innings allowing no runs on just one hit and one walk while striking out three. Judkins has not allowed an earned run all season. Kyle Shimp pitched 2 2/3 innings allowing one earned run on one hit while striking out four. Cam Baumann got one out, and gave up 2 runs (1 earned). Grant Leonard also pitched 1 inning, giving up one unearned run. Nick Nelsen pitched a perfect top of the ninth to earn the win. Nelsen improved to 2-0 on the season.
The Hawkeyes improved to 12-7, and are back in action this weekend, hosting 11th ranked Indiana for a three game series as they open conference play.
