IOWA CITY, Iowa – The Fighting Illini dropped their series opener at Iowa, 9-3, on Friday night at Duane Banks Field in Iowa City, Iowa.

After the visitors took a 2-1 lead in the fourth, the Hawkeyes responded with a seven-run fifth, which proved too big of a deficit to overcome for the Orange and Blue.

Daniel Contreras collected a two-hit day at the plate, while Nick Groves and Jack Zebig both reached base three times. Zebig also hit his seventh home run of the season, which came on a solo shot in the seventh.

Regan Hall struck out five in his four frames of work, while Sam Reed, Luke Weber, and Ike Young combined to allow one run over their 3.2 innings in relief.

POSTGAME NOTES

• Nick Groves went 1-for-3 with two walks and an RBI.
  • Drew multiple walks for the sixth time this season.
• Michael Farina finished 1-for-4 at the plate.
  • Has reached base safely in 13 consecutive games.
• Jack Zebig went 1-for-3 with a home run and two walks.
  • Hit his seventh homer of the season.
  • Has reached safely in 10 straight contests.
  • Drew multiple walks for the sixth time.
• Kyle Schupmann reached on a walk.
  • Has reached safely in 11 games in a row.
  • Scored multiple runs for the 12th time.
• Daniel Contreras went 2-for-4.
  • Marked his ninth multi-hit game of the season.
• Regan Hall fanned five in his four innings of work.
  • Recorded at least five strikeouts for the eighth time.
• Ike Young allowed one run with three strikeouts in 2.2 innings.
  • Struck out at least three hitters for the seventh time.
• The Illini pitching staff combined for 10 strikeouts.
  • Was the 13th game this season with double-digit strikeouts.

UP NEXT

The Fighting Illini (22-22, 9-13 B1G) continue their road series at Iowa on Saturday afternoon, with the second game of the set slated for 2 p.m. CT.