Indianapolis (KTIV) -
Jack Graves smashed a three-run home run and drove in four runs as Team Iowa defeated Team Kansas 12-7 at the Midwest Regional Tournament in Indianapolis on Sunday.
Austin Carter pitched three strong innings and struck out four. He held Kansas to just one run.
Carter also finished 3-for-4, with two runs scored and drove in another in the victory.
In total, Iowa pounded out 14 hits after being held to just three against Team Nebraska on Friday.
"Really, I think the nerves just got out yesterday," said head coach Corey Dickson. "We didn't make any huge pre game speeches. We just told them that ok, now you've seen what the environment is like. We're here for one purpose. We're not here for a vacation. We're here to play baseball and let's just do what we've done the past 12, 13, 14 games that's gotten us to this point."
Luke Johnson went 3-for-5 and Tanner Hensley also collected two hits.
Scoreless after one inning, Iowa broke things open with a three run second. Kansas answered with a run in the bottom of the frame to make it a 3-1 ball game.
After no scoring in the third, Iowa's bat caught fire again in the fourth.
After a single and a walk to walk the frame Tanner Bykerk made it a 4-1 ball game with an RBI single.
The very next batter, on the first pitch of the at-bat, Graves hit his first home run of the tournament, a three-run blast to give Iowa a 7-1 lead. They would add another to make it an 8-1 game.
Kansas responded with four in the fourth, and added to more in the fifth to close within 11-7.
After allowing a lead-off single to start the inning, Kyle Windeshausen quieted the Kansas bats to preserve the 12-7 win.
Iowa faces Team Minnesota on Monday.
"Tomorrow (Monday) is going to be big," Dickson added. "We win tomorrow (Monday) and we're pretty much in the drivers seat to be able to secure one of those semi-final spots."
Jack Graves had a three-run home run in Iowa's 12-7 win.
