Iowa keeps pace in Big Ten race with sweep of Nebraska
The Iowa baseball team's magical season continues.
The Hawkeyes defeated Nebraska in both games of Sunday's doubleheader, earning a three-game sweep of their Big Ten Conference rivals.
Game 1 ended in dramatic fashion, with junior Jimmy Frankos delivering a walk-off single in the bottom of the 10th inning to give Iowa a 3-2 win. Nick Roscetti set up Frankos' heroics when he was able to reach safely on an infield single, loading the bases with one out.
Led by Blake Hickman, Iowa's pitchers held Nebraska hitters in check. The junior went 52/3 innings, striking out three and giving up two hits, three walks and two earned runs. The Hawkeyes gave up just five hits as a team while their own offense had 13.
Iowa won Game 2 5-1 behind a great outing from pitcher Tyler Peyton. In 81/3 innings Peyton gave up eight hits, no walks and only one earned run.
At the plate, Eric Toole led the charge, going 3-for-5 with two RBI.
The Game 2 victory lifted Iowa to 30-11 on the season, marking the first time since 1989-90 that the team hit the 30-win plateau in consecutive years.
Sunday's wins also helped the Hawkeyes keep pace in the battle for the Big Ten Conference regular-season title. Iowa is now 13-2 while league-leading Illinois, which completed its own three-game sweep Sunday at Penn State, is 13-1.
Iowa plays Sacramento State at home Tuesday before starting a three-game series at Michigan Friday.