Walk-off home run leads Iowa over Minnesota

Redshirt freshman Carter Geffre's ninth-inning blast seals 3-2 victory for Hawkeyes

Apr. 5, 2026 at 7:56am

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The University of Iowa baseball team evened its series with Minnesota on Saturday, closing the game with a dramatic walk-off home run from redshirt freshman Carter Geffre to post a 3-2 victory at Duane Banks Field.

Why it matters

This win helps the Hawkeyes bounce back after a tough loss the previous day and keeps them in the hunt for a strong conference finish against a key Big Ten rival.

The details

Iowa answered Minnesota's early solo home run with a sacrifice fly from Geffre in the fourth inning to tie the game at 1-1. The Gophers regained the lead in the sixth, but Iowa evened the score again in the bottom half of the inning. Geffre then delivered the game-winning blast on the first pitch of the bottom of the ninth to seal the victory.

  • The game was played on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
  • Geffre's walk-off home run came in the bottom of the ninth inning.

The players

Carter Geffre

A redshirt freshman on the Iowa baseball team who hit the game-winning home run in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Rick Heller

The head coach of the University of Iowa baseball team.

Miles Risley

A senior on the Iowa baseball team who scored the tying run in the fourth inning.

Joey Nerat

A senior on the Iowa baseball team who singled to drive in Risley in the fourth inning.

Maddux Frese

The starting pitcher for Iowa, who threw 6 1/3 innings and allowed two runs.

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What they’re saying

“That was tremendous, exactly what we needed, maybe to get things going. We had production up and down the lineup. It wasn't a lot, but it was spread throughout, which was good to see. Win or lose, that is how we have to play, and I was really pleased with how the guys responded after a tough one yesterday. They rallied, went out and played hard today and found a way to get it done.”

— Rick Heller, Head Coach, University of Iowa Baseball

“It's unreal. I don't even really know what happened. I'm just excited right now.”

— Carter Geffre

What’s next

The Hawkeyes and Gophers will conclude their three-game series on Sunday at 1:02 p.m. (CT) at Duane Banks Field.

The takeaway

This dramatic walk-off win showcases the resilience and clutch hitting of the Iowa baseball team, who bounced back from a tough loss the previous day to even the series against a key conference rival. The Hawkeyes will look to carry this momentum into the series finale on Sunday.