Final Stats

Final Stats (PDF) 

IOWA CITY, Iowa - NIU baseball dropped its midweek contest to Iowa Tuesday night as the Hawkeyes (10-12) hit four home runs, including a grand slam in the sixth, to defeat the Huskies (6-18) in the first of four games this week, 12-3.

“Today was an opportunity to get better, and as a whole, we did not seize the opportunity. We did however have some individuals that took advantage of it and I was happy to see that,” said Head Coach Mike Kunigonis. “We need to put this game behind us and get ready for home opener this weekend against a very good Miami team.”

Both Justin Fletcher (Pekin, Ill./Illinois Central College) and Alex Smith (Mahomet, Ill./Parkland College) recorded two hits in the game with Joe Jumonville (Munster, Ind./Munster), Brandon Mallder (Bridgeview, Ill./St. Laurence) and Carl Russell (Grayslake, Ill./Grayslake North) registering RBI.

On the rubber, relievers Ryne Blanton (Spring Grove, Ill./Madison College), Matthew Hoffman (East Dubuque, Ill./Wahlert Catholic) and Jon Savarise (Lincolnshire, Ill./Stevenson) all recorded shutout innings in relief of starter Joey Ceja (Ottawa, Ill./Heartland C.C.), who hurled 3.0 innings, surrendering three runs and striking two.

The Huskies capitalized on a trio of singles in the top of the first inning, starting on Fletcher’s lead off single to the shortstop. After stealing second base on a failed hit and run attempt, the senior scored with two outs as Mallder blooped the ball to right field to score Fletcher.

With the wind howling to left field at Banks Field, Iowa took advantage of the conditions in the second, third and fourth, as they homered in each inning, started by a two-run shot in the second as the teams swapped the lead, 2-1. The Hawkeyes accounted for two solo homers in the third and fourth to take a 4-1 lead.

Iowa tallied its fourth home run of the game in the sixth inning, a grand slam by 2015 consensus All-American Tyler Peyton, putting the Hawkeyes in front of the Huskies, 12-1.

After holding Iowa scoreless in the seventh and eighth innings, the Huskies showed resiliency in the top of the ninth as they recorded four hits, including two to leadoff the inning by pinch-hitter Austin Stout (Yorktown, Ind./Olney Central College) and substitute Wes Sery (Bloomington, Ill./Normal West).

The duo advanced 90-feet on a passed ball and scored via a groundout by Jumonville and a fielder’s choice by Russell to round out the scoring.

Northern Illinois University finished with four hits in the ninth, outhitting Iowa in the game, 11-9.

The Huskies will play their home-opener Friday, April 1 in the first game of three game series with Mid-American Conference East foe Miami (Ohio). NIU and the RedHawks will start the series at 3 p.m., Central at Ralph McKinzie Field.