May 10, 2008
Box Score
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA -- The Iowa baseball team dropped the first game of a doubleheader to Penn State Saturday at Medlar Field, 6-5. Penn State scored six early and the Hawkeyes were never able to recover. In the loss, Iowa out hit the Nittany Lions 12-8 but stranded 10 runners on base throughout the seven innings.
The Black and Gold had a chance to tie the contest in the top of the seventh, however Kyle Riffel was thrown out at the plate attempting to score from third base on a wild pitch to end the game in exciting fashion. Riffel was able to get into scoring position after a one-out single and back-to-back steals.
To lead Iowa, Kevin Hoef went 2-for-3 with a stolen base. Zach McCool swung the bat well and was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI. Riffel was 2-for-4 with two stolen bases, a run scored and RBI. Justin Toole continued his hit streak to 23 games and was 1-for-2 with two walks. T.J. Cataldo went a perfect 2-for-2.
Penn State got on the board first in the bottom of the first, to make it a 2-0 game. The Nittany Lions continued where they left off in the second, plating four to make it 6-0. Penn State had five hits and took advantage of one Hawkeye error in the inning.
Andrew Porter threw a solid game of relief for the Hawkeyes and kept the Nittany Lions at bay. He threw four and two-third innings allowing no runs on two hits.
The Iowa offense chipped away in the top of the fifth, to make it 6-1. With one out McCool lined one to left field and advanced to third on a Hoef single through the right side. Toole brought in McCool with an RBI single to left field.
The Hawkeyes kept at it in the sixth, plating four to make it 6-5.
Jeff Pacha started things off with a single up the middle, and advanced to second on a balk. One batter later, Riffel singled up the middle to pick up an RBI. Riffel moved over to second on a filed pick off attempt and was brought in with a McCool single through the left side. Hoef followed suit with a single to left field to move McCool to third. Toole walked to load the bases. One out later,
Ben Geelan was hit by a pitch and received an RBI.
Kurtis Muller singled to the short stop to bring in another Iowa run.
Iowa will play the nightcap of a doubleheader tonight at Medlar Field.
Game Summary
Iowa 000 014 0 - 5 12 1
Penn State 240 000 X - 6 8 3
WP - Macy (2-2)
LP - Turnbull (3-4)
SV - O'Neil (9)
