The powerful Iowa Hawkeyes (19-9, 4-0 Big Ten) came to Evanston Friday afternoon sporting the conference’s third-highest batting average. But, it was the Hawkeyes’ plate discipline -- and control issues by Northwestern’s pitchers — that led them to an easy 14-2 win against the Wildcats (8-20, 0-4) at Rocky and Berenice Miller Park.
Northwestern pitchers surrendered 12 walks, and a hit-by-pitch, on the day and fell behind 5-0 in the second inning before the Hawkeyes piled it on against the bullpen. Junior Tommy Bordignon got the start for the Wildcats and induced a 4-6-3 double play to escape trouble in the opening frame, but had no such luck in the ensuing one.