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IOWA CITY, Iowa -- No. 19 Indiana suffered a 5-1 defeat in the second game of its weekend series at Iowa on Saturday afternoon, a game that mirrored the opener a day earlier at Duane Banks Field.
Similar to Friday, Iowa put a run on the board first in the opening inning and maintained it until opening the game up late.
The Hawkeyes loaded the bases with zero outs in the first inning but only managed a run on a sacrifice fly as IU starter Jake Kelzer gained control.
Indiana's offense was limited, hitting a season-low three times while being retired in three batters five times Saturday. The Hoosiers didn't record their first hit until the fifth inning and had just one after seven.
But even with a lack of offense, Kelzer had IU in position to steal the series' second game after six innings, trailing just 1-0. All three of the hits Kelzer gave up came in the first two innings as he was untouchable through his final four on the mound, allowing just two to reach base from that point on.
Kelzer gave up just one run and struck out four, but was credited with the loss.
Indiana went through three pitchers in the seventh innings, when the Hawkeyes' bats lit up for four runs on a 2-run home run and a 2-RBI double before an out was on the board.
Facing a 5-0 deficit, Indiana put a run on the board with a single from Will Nolden and an RBI double via Casey Rodrigue, but that's all the Hoosiers could muster, dropping consecutive games for just the second time this season.
Indiana looks to close the series out with a win on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET before heading home.
GAME NOTES
••• Indiana has lost three straight Big Ten games for the first time since April 12-14, 2013 at Michigan State, when the Hoosiers were swept on three consecutive walk-offs.
••• Indiana was errorless for the sixth time this season and the second time in the last three contests.
••• IU's three hits were a season low and the first time the Hoosiers were held below five this season.
••• RHP Jake Kelzer threw six innings, his second-most this season, but was credited the loss (1-1). Kelzer allowed just one run on three hits to go with four strikeouts.
••• RHP Luke Harrison made his 74th career appearance, tying Eric Jaques (1986-89) for the fourth most in Indiana history.
••• Senior OF Will Nolden had Indiana's first two hits with his fifth multi-hit game of the season, leading IU with two.
••• Senior IF Casey Rodrigue tallied his fourth double of the season and his 10th overall extra-base hit (tied for team lead) with an RBI double in the eighth inning. Rodrigue's 18 RBI lead Indiana in 2015.
••• Freshman IF Isaiah Pasteur scored Indiana's only run of the game and has scored in four of the last five contests for IU.
Go Hoosiers!
per Varsity Club
