LOS ANGELES — The University of Iowa baseball team fell to No. 14 USC, 8-2, on Sunday afternoon at Dedeaux Field, as the Trojans completed the three-game series sweep.
“There’s not much to say about this one. Kooper Schulte led the game off with a solo home run, and that was the highlight. Our offense just couldn’t string anything together,” said head coach Rick Heller. “Ben Swails’ solo home run in the seventh was all we could get. We’ll get back home and get to work cleaning things up. There is a lot of baseball left to play.”
Iowa struck first in the top of the opening frame when senior Kooper Schulte launched a leadoff home run to left field, giving the Hawkeyes an early 1–0 advantage.USC responded immediately in the bottom half, using a three-run home run and a two-run shot to take a 5-1 lead after the first inning.
The Trojans added to their lead in the second with a solo home run and an RBI single to extend the margin to 7–1. USC tacked on one more run in the third on another RBI knock.
Iowa’s final run came when senior Ben Swails sent a solo home run to left-center, cutting the deficit to 8–2.
Graduate student Logan Runde got the start on the mound for the Hawkeyes and was charged with the loss.
“USC jumped on our starter, Logan Runde, for five runs in the first and another in the second. He was just off today,” said Heller. “He walked the first two batters on full counts, and then Lopez hit a three-run homer. A double and another home run made it 5-0 just like that. Kyle Alivo went 4 2/3 and did a good job of slowing the USC offense down, and Joe Husak pitched great in the final 2 1/3 innings.”
Up Next
Iowa returns home to face Bradley in a midweek matchup at home on Tuesday at 6:02 pm (CT).
