The Iowa baseball team (1-4) split a double-header on Monday in Lawrence, Kan.
The Hawkeyes earned their first win of the year in the morning game by jumping all over Southern Utah (4-2), 8-3. Second baseman Mike McQuillan went 2-for-5 with three RBIs, and freshman first baseman Bryan Niedbalski collected two doubles and a walk in his first career start.
Junior ace Jarred Hippen threw four no-hit innings to pick up the win, and senior Zach Kenyon settled down after giving up three runs in his first frame to record a five-inning save.
Iowa wasn’t so lucky in the nightcap, falling to Kansas (2-3), 5-2. The Hawkeyes pieced together just five hits, and Jayhawk pitchers collected 12 strikeouts.
The Hawkeyes wasted two men in scoring position when center fielder Trevor Willis flew out to left to end the game. Willis was 0-for-5 for the game.
Iowa’s next game is scheduled for Friday; the team will play Georgia State and Mississippi State in Starksville, Miss.
— by Seth Roberts