The Hawkeyes improve to 27-17 on the season and draw first blood in the series.
After a disappointing 13-6 midweek loss to Illinois State on Tuesday, Iowa baseball coach Rick Heller uttered this simple phrase.
"Just bad baseball."
The Hawkeyes had four days to think about the loss before they had a chance to respond. When the time to make a response came, Iowa was prepared for it.
Whatever message Heller told his team over that four-day stretch worked, as the Hawkeyes used a seven-run fifth inning to seize control and defeat Illinois, 9-3, in the series opener at Duane Banks Field on Friday evening.
Redshirt freshman Kyle Alivo earned the win for Iowa after throwing five strong innings in relief, while Regan Hall (4.0 IP, 5 ER) was saddled with the loss for Illinois.
What Happened?
Iowa (27-17, 11-11 Big Ten) drew first blood in the second. Two quick outs signaled a quick inning was on the horizon, but Miles Risley got things going with a single to left. Two batters later, Max Burt brought Risley home with a clutch two-out knock up the middle to give the Hawkeyes an early 1-0 lead.
Iowa starter Tyler Guerin wobbled his way through the third inning, but couldn't survive the fourth inning, where he issued a walk and a single to open the frame. Kyle Alivo was Guerin's replacement and yielded Guerin's two runs, allowing Illinois (22-22, 9-13) to claim a 2-1 lead.
It didn't last long, however. Once the batting order cycled back to the top, the Hawkeyes just simply pummeled Fighting Illini pitcher Regan Hall. The first run of the inning came on a failed pickoff attempt by Hall and the floodgates opened.
Gable Mitchell and Miles Risley collected an RBI single and double, respectively, but the biggest blow to Illinois' heart was Max Burt's three-run blast. It was Burt's third homer of the season and pushed Iowa's lead to 7-2.
There were still four innings to play, but it was all but over after that, and the Hawkeyes cruised to victory.
Up Next
The Hawkeyes and Fighting Illini return to the Duane Banks Field diamond on Saturday for Game 2 of their three-game set. First pitch is set for 2:02 p.m. on Big Ten Plus.
Looking for a FREE Hawkeyes community?
Don't miss out on our Roundtable community and the latest news! It's completely FREE to join.
Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members. Download the FREE Roundtable APP and stay even more connected!
Missed the Caitlin Clark jersey giveaway?
No problem! Become a FREE HawkeyeRoundtable community member today to have a chance to win future Hawkeye prizes! We'll continue the giveaways throughout the year and may or may not have one coming later this month, so stay tuned!
HawkeyeRoundtable publisher Brad Schultz has covered the Iowa Hawkeyes since 2023. To send him story ideas, scoops, or criticize his writing, reach him at bradschultz@roundtable.io