Power surge: Iowa’s Andy Nelson belts 2 home runs in 10-0 victory over Indiana

IOWA CITY – A hot-hitting Andy Nelson is a really good thing for University of Iowa.

Nelson could provide a spark and production in the bottom third of the Hawkeyes batting order, especially if he swings the bat like he did Sunday.

Nelson batted 2-for-3 with two home runs and three RBIs, complementing starter Reece Beuter’s six shutout innings in Iowa’s 10-0 victory in seven innings over Indiana at Duane Banks Field. The Big Ten Conference leading Hawkeyes run-ruled the Hoosiers two straight games and recorded a second consecutive conference series sweep.

Nelson doubled his season home run total. He saw the ball well and remained patient before pouncing on pitches he could drive.

“Sometimes it looks like a beachball and sometimes it looks like a golf ball,” Nelson said. “I just had the mindset of waiting the pitcher out and waiting for your pitch. You just know you’re on time and once you feel that you can let it fly.

“Really just put yourself in position to work good counts and make it in your favor as a hitter. It helped me and everybody else.”

Nelson blasted a no-doubt three-run shot over the left center field wall in the second inning, driving in Daniel Rogers and Caleb Wulf for the first runs of the game. He added a solo home run to spark a four-run sixth that caused the mercy rule.

Nelson has had a surge recently and he could help provide depth and balance in the Hawkeye lineup.

“I was really happy to see Andy really have a breakout game,” Heller said. “The kid gets a 3-0 green light and hits a home run, his second the game.

“If Andy can get hot here down the stretch, which would be a big boost for us because we all have seen Andy on hot streaks, and it's good when he's on them, that's for sure.”

Nelson raised his average to .260, increasing his RBI total to 18 and runs to 23. Modest numbers but Nelson had to overcome a slow start, missing a couple of weeks due to injury. It took time to get into form.

“Talking with him this week, he felt like his swing and his timing was getting really close to where it needed to be,” Heller said. “And he's just such a dynamic athlete. He can really run and when he's going good, he can steal bases. From first to third, he's as good as there is out there. He's a solid outfielder and now that his arm’s back in shape, you don't have to worry too much about the defense anymore.”

Gable Mitchell also had two hits with three RBIs and two runs. He belted a three-run home run in the sixth. Wulf had two RBIs.

Iowa (31-12, 20-4) outscored Indiana, 23-3, during the series. The Hawkeyes tallied 26 hits throughout the three-game set.

“The hardest part is getting the first couple runs in a game,” Nelson said. “Once that happens, you can relax a little bit. That’s when our true selves come out. Being able to have that mindset from the beginning of the game, no matter who the pitcher is on the mound or what team we’re facing, that’s what is going to lead us to success this year.”

Beuter shut down the Hoosier, pitching six scoreless innings and striking out seven. He allowed only three hits and improved to 5-0 this season, dropping his earned-run average to 3.54. Ben DeTaeye worked a perfect seventh to close out Iowa’s win.

“Reece was outstanding today,” Heller said. “I thought it was the best he's been all year and he's been pretty darn good the last few weeks.”

“What made the difference was he was able to locate his fastball on both sides of the plate. He was he was really locked in with his command, mixing (pitches), throwing his changeup for a strike, getting chases on it. Just total package today and you can't say enough about the job he did.”

Iowa hosts Illinois State on Tuesday at 6:02 p.m.

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