CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – The 20^th ranked University of Iowa baseball team blanked Ball State, 5-0, Saturday afternoon at Detyens Field at Shipyard Park.

Marcus Morgan got the ball to start the game for the Hawkeyes and delivered throwing 5 1/3 innings of one two hit ball. The Iowa City, Iowa native retired the first 12 batters he faced. Morgan struck out a career high nine hitters and walked just two.

Anthony Watts entered in the bottom of the sixth and threw 3 1/3 innings to earn his first career save. The Clive, Iowa, native did not allow a baserunner.

“The guys answered the bell with the short turnaround,” said head coach Rick Heller. “Marcus Morgan set the tone with a tremendous start. He took a perfect game into the fifth. Marcus was in total control today. Then in his first appearance as a Hawkeye, Anthony Watts was outstanding. He fanned six and didn’t allow a hit or run in his 3 1/3 innings to pick up the save.

Sam Petersen continued his hot start to the season going 2-for-3, stealing three bases, recording an RBI and making a highlight double play.

Raider Tello recorded two hits and an RBI while Reese Moore saw his first career action with a pinch hit double coming around to score on a Petersen single.

Tello put Iowa in front in the third inning as he singled to left center to score Petersen. The Hawkeyes then used a big third fifth inning to pull away from the Cardinals.

With a 1-0 lead Iowa scored three runs. Davis Cop got things started with an RBI groundout to score Petersen, a passed ball scored Blake Guerin from third, and a Kyle Huckstorf single and a Ball State error allowed Ben Wilmes to score.

Iowa added an insurance run in the eighth as Petersen singled scoring Moore from third.

“We beat a good Ball State team today, said Heller. “Their starter Logan Schulfler has great stuff. We were more competitive on offense today, up and down the lineup.  Sam Petersen and Raider Tello followed up last night’s performance with two hits apiece and an RBI each. I was happy for Reese Moore, recorded the pinch hit double in his first at bat as a Hawkeye today. We played great defense for the second day in a row and the energy from everyone was great to see.”

OF NOTE

• Both Morgan (9) and Watts (6) struck out a career high in their 2024 debuts.
• Sam Petersen has five stolen bases in two games to start the season.
• Anthony Watts, Reese Moore, and Connor Hennings made their Hawkeye debuts.

NEXT UP

The Hawkeyes (2-0) return to action Sunday morning, facing Lehigh at 9 a.m. (CT) in Game 3 of the Swig and Swine College Classic.