Iowa baseball tops Sacramento State in 18 innings

IOWA CITY - Almost six hours after the game started Tuesday, Iowa came up with a 4-3, 18-inning, non-conference victory over Sacramento State at Duane Banks Field.

Tied 2-2 after nine innings, both teams scored a run in the 12th inning. Iowa (31-11) got its run without a hit, using two Sacramento State (22-22) errors to keep the game going.

After leaving the bases loaded in the 17th, Iowa started the 18th with a single by Eric Toole.

Toole advanced to third base on a one-out single by Kris Goodman, and scored on a sac fly by John Barrett, who didn't start the game.

'I tried to stay focused in the first nine innings and when I came in I just tried to do what I could to help the team win,” Barrett said. 'Get a pitch that's elevated and get the ball to the outfield and get that run in,” Barrett said of his approach at the plate during the game-winning at-bat.

'John's been swinging the ball pretty well for us,” Iowa coach Rick Heller said. 'He had a really nice at-bat there. Battled with two strikes and we're really proud of that.”

Eight different pitchers saw action for the Hawkeyes. Brandon Shulista got the win, pitching the final two innings, giving up one hit.

Toole and Jake Mangler each had three hits for the Hawkeyes.

Iowa returns to action Friday with a three-game series at Michigan.