Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Iowa *
Konecny Dominates Iowa; Wins Game One 8-2
5/2/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 2, 2004
Iowa Box Score in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
IOWA CITY, Iowa - Wildcat starting pitcher Dan Konecny flirted with a no-hitter in game one of Sunday's doubleheader, going five-plus innings without giving up a hit, and winning 8-2. Konecny sent down the first 14 hitters that stepped up to the plate, upping his season record to 4-5 overall, 2-1 in the Big Ten. Konecny struck out five in six complete innings, throwing just 78 pitches.
Northwestern scored the first run in Sunday's doubleheader, as Jon Mikrut hit a two-out single to left field, plating Josh Lieberman from third. Lieberman reached on an infield error and moved to second on an Iowa passed ball. First baseman Mark Ori slapped a single through the left side, advancing Lieberman 90-feet, setting up Mikrut's RBI hit.
NU added another run in the top of the fifth inning, with Lieberman lacing a two-out RBI double down the left field line. Left fielder Anthony Wycklendt scored on Lieberman's fifth double after reaching base via the walk. Wycklendt moved to second on a slow roller to third base.
NU broke the game open in the top of the sixth, plating three runs, to take a 5-0 lead. In the inning, Dan Pohlman hit a one-out single and moved to second when the Iowa right fielder fumbled the ball. Pohlman crossed the plate when Mikrut hit a solid single to left center field. It was Mikrut's second RBI in the game. With the Hawkeyes still in striking distance, pinch hitter Mike Phelps stepped up in a crucial situation and laced his first triple of the season down the right field line. Right fielder Jason Krynski quickly followed with a towering sacrifice fly to right field, Phelps scored on the play.
Iowa finally got to Wildcat starter, Konecny, in the bottom of the sixth. The senior opened the sixth inning not allowing a hit; setting down the first 14 batters he faced to start the game.
Konecny was throwing a perfect game, until a two-out infield throwing error allowed the first Hawkeye to reach base in the fifth inning. On the very next pitch, Konecny induced a ground ball to end the inning.
In the sixth, Iowa took advantage of back-to-back walks, as the only two hits Konecny gave up, plated the two runs.
NU got those runs back in the top of the seventh inning, as junior second baseman Chris Hayes got things started with a single to right center field. Hayes quickly stole second, and came around to score on Lieberman's single up the middle. Lieberman rounded the bases when Dan Pohlman smacked an RBI double down the left field line, giving him a team-leading 34 RBI on the season. Ori moved to third on Pohlman's double after singling to left in his at bat. Ori scored when designated hitter Mike Phelps singled to right field, plating NU's final run of the game. In all, the Wildcats scored three runs on five hits.
Freshman Andrew Smith pitched the seventh inning, giving up two hits. It was Smith's ninth appearance of the season.
Offensively, the Wildcats had 12 hits, led by Pohlman's 3-for-4 performance. Lieberman was 2-for-4 with two RBI, while Ori and Mikrut each also had two hits. Mikrut had two RBI in the contest. Coming off the bench, Phelps went 2-for-2 with two RBI and the team's 16th triple of the year.
