Michigan Tops Iowa in Season Opener
March 6, 2021
The Iowa Hawkeyes took the field for the first time in 360 day to face the No. 18 / 21 Michigan Wolverines in the Big 10 Central Texas Challenge played at Dell Diamond in Round Rock, Texas. The Hawkeyes will have to wait at least 361 days for their first win as they fell to the Wolverines, 4-2.
Michigan opened the scoring in the top of the second on a Jake Marti doubled down the right field line, scoring Christian Bullock and Benjamin Sems. Iowa responded in the bottom of the frame when Zeb Adreon crossed the plate on a Matthew Sosa doubled to left field, making the score 2-1.
Bats were quiet until the bottom of the seventh inning when Iowa’s Sosa again doubled, scoring Adreon to even the score at 2-2. Michigan edged ahead for the win with a run in the eight, on a single up the middle by Christian Molfetta, and another run in the ninth, on a Benjamin Sems doubled to right center.
Tito Flores, Benjamin Sims and Christian Bullock each had 2 hits for the Wolverines. Austin Martin, Zeb Adreon and Matthew Sosa added 2 hits each for the Hawkeyes.
Pitching was surprising tight for a season-opening game. Michigan starting pitcher Steve Hajjar struck out 8 and walked 1 in 6.2 innings while allowing 2 runs on 6 hits. Iowa starter Trenton Wallace also struck out 8 and walked 4 in 5 innings, allowing 2 runs on 3 hits. Neither pitcher earned a decision.
Michigan relief pitcher Willie Weiss earned the win, pitching 2.1 hitless innings and striking out 5. Iowa reliever Ben Beutel suffered the loss, allowing 1 run on 3 hits in 2.1 innings.