Iowa baseball rebounds with dominant run-rule win vs. St. Thomas

USA Today

24-04-2025

Iowa baseball rebounds with dominant run-rule win vs. St. Thomas
After suffering a disappointing 7-3 loss to Western Illinois, Iowa baseball (28-12, 17-4 Big Ten) rebounded with a dominant 15-5 run-rule win in eight innings vs. St. Thomas (19-15, 13-4 Summit League) from Duane Banks Field on Wednesday evening.
Fifth-year senior left-hander Ben DeTaeye (0-3, 4.35 ERA) started on the mound for the Hawkeyes in his first start since 2022, which saw him give up two runs on four hits and match his career-high with six strikeouts in four innings of work.
"The big story was Ben DeTaeye's start," said head coach Rick Heller. "He was really good, he went into uncharted territory and handled it really well."
Four other Hawkeyes saw the mound, including Gannon Archer (2-1, 3.24 ERA), who earned the win in his one inning pitched. The pitching staff also combined for nine strikeouts and five walks.
The Hawkeyes started hot on offense, plating seven runs in the first three innings. Ben Wilmes tied a career-high, hitting his fifth home run of the season during Iowa's four-run second inning. Daniel Rogers added to the offensive outburst when he doubled to the left-center wall in the third to bring home Miles Risley.
Iowa didn't score again until plating four runs in the sixth inning, highlighted by two RBI singles from both Rogers and Kooper Schulte. The Hawkeyes scored one run in the seventh on an RBI walk and three in the eighth to win via run rule.
Mitchell, Rogers, and Ben Swails all had multi-hit games. Mitchell led the team with three hits, and Rogers spearheaded the Hawkeyes with three RBIs.
As for St. Thomas, the Tommies scored two in the third and three in the seventh.
"I thought it was excellent," said Heller. "We went back to playing the game and having fun. Trying to be good at what we are good at."
The Hawkeyes will remain home for their next game as they begin a three-game weekend series vs. Indiana (23-18, 12-9) on Friday.
The series opener is set for 6:02 p.m. CT at Duane Banks Field and will be broadcast on Big Ten Plus (subscription required). Fans can also follow along through the Hawkeyes Radio Network alongside play-by-play voice John Leo and color analyst John Evans.
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