IOWA CITY, Iowa – Northwestern scratched a run across in the first inning for the second consecutive game but was silenced offensively in a 9-2 loss at Iowa on Saturday afternoon.
Preston Knott led off the game with a double down the right field line and came around to score on a Jackson Freeman sacrifice fly, giving NU (13-29, 2-15 Big Ten) a 1-0 advantage in the top of the first.
Jack Dyke gave the Wildcats 4.0 scoreless innings on the mound, surrendering three hits, walking two and recording one strikeout.Another First Inning RBI for @Jacksonrfreeman ?? pic.twitter.com/PyjjIDCoZz
— Northwestern Baseball (@NUCatsBaseball) May 4, 2024
In the bottom of the fifth, the Iowa (27-18,12-8 Big Ten) offense came to life, pushing across three runs on a hit by pitch, a bunt single, and two walks. The Hawkeyes added on with one in the sixth and five in the eighth..@JDyke19 departs after four scoreless ??
— Northwestern Baseball (@NUCatsBaseball) May 4, 2024
4.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K pic.twitter.com/7ZB2Mc8RKt
Jackson Freeman collected his second RBI of the game on a solo home run to right in the top of the ninth. Freeman's home run marked his 9th of the 2024 campaign, second-most by a Big Ten true-freshman.
Peter Michael (0-1) is credited with the loss, allowing three runs on one hit.
Brody Brecht (3-2) earned the win, allowing one run on two hits, striking out 13 over 8.0 innings pitched.
The series finale is slated for 1:05 p.m. CT on Sunday at Duane Banks Field.