IOWA CITY, Iowa – In a competitive night at Duane Banks Field, the University of Iowa baseball team overcame a challenging game against the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), emerging victorious with a score of 4-1 on March 18, 2025. Although they were outhit by the Flames, 6-5, the Hawkeyes showcased their resilience by stranding a staggering 13 UIC runners throughout the game.
Head coach Rick Heller expressed mixed feelings about the performance, noting, "I am happy we found a way to get it done. We had some pitchers really step up in tough situations, that allowed us to hang on and win that game. I just thought it was low energy and low focus especially on a really nice day with a big crowd." The coach’s disappointment with his team’s lackluster performance was palpable, especially given the favorable weather and large turnout.
In this matchup, the Hawkeyes employed a total of 10 different pitchers, with Ganon Archer earning the win after throwing a scoreless inning. In relief, Ben DeTaeye made a significant contribution, striking out four batters over two innings of work, which secured his second save of the season.
Highlighting the game’s critical moments, Reese Moore made an impactful entrance by hitting a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning, tying the game after UIC had scored earlier. As the game progressed, Ben Swails and another player, Miles, contributed runs for Iowa in the second and third innings, respectively. In a show of strategic play, Connor Hennings later crossed home plate on a wild pitch in the seventh inning, further cushioning Iowa’s lead.
Coach Heller praised Moore, stating, "Reese had a good day. Answered back from the run we gave them in the first inning and that was kind of how it was all day. We bring Whitlock in, and he does a good job getting a double play ball and we throw it away give them a run. Could have been more, but he got the next out."
The offensive statistics painted a picture of contrasting performance with runners on base— Iowa hit .300 (3-for-10) in such situations, while UIC struggled with only .071 (1-for-14). Additionally, Iowa capitalized on their speed with three stolen bases, compared to the Flames who were unsuccessful on their only attempt.
Looking ahead, the Hawkeyes are gearing up to host a three-game series against Ohio State, starting on March 21, 2025, at 4:02 p.m. This series is expected to be crucial as the team aims to build on their victory over UIC and improve their season performance.
