COLUMBUS, Ohio – The University of Iowa baseball team dropped its series opener against Ohio State on Friday night, 8-5, at Nick Swisher Field at Bill Davis Park.

The Buckeyes struck first in the second inning scoring two runs and led the remainder of the contest. Ohio State added two in the fourth before the Hawkeyes cut the lead to one in the fifth, but a two-run bottom half extended the Ohio State lead again. Ohio State was able to match Iowa’s two runs in the remainder of the contest to win by three.

Cade Obermueller made his second career Friday night start. He threw four innings and face two batters in the fifth. He allowed six runs on six hits and struck out six while walking three.

Aaron Savary threw two 1/3 innings scattering four hits and allowing one run Jack Young closed out the final 1 2/3 innings of the game allowing one run on two hits.

“The guys played hard and never gave up, said head coach Rick Heller. “We just didn’t play or pitch well enough to win tonight. Ohio State played a good game.”

Andy Nelson and Raider Tello each had two RBIs for the Hawkeyes. Tello had a solo home run in the fourth inning that cleared the right field wall and an RBI groundout in the fifth.

Gable Mitchell added an RBI for the Hawkeyes.

“We cut their lead to one in the fifth,” said Heller. “Then we go out and give them two runs with a ball never leaving the infield. We give up a two-out run in the sixth and another in the eighth. Take those away and it’s a different ball game. Combine all that with the Buckeyes taking advantage of us on the bases all night and it makes it tough to win.”

The Buckeyes stole seven bases against the Hawkeyes.