A pitcher on the University of Iowa baseball team has been arrested and suspended from the team indefinitely Monday after police say he punched a hole in the wall of a downtown Iowa City bar.
Iowa City police said they were called to DC's bar at 124 S. Dubuque St. at about 12:35 a.m. Monday "for a report of an out of control male who punched a hole in a wall." 220 Tons Lamination Press
Police found Lucas Vandermaten, 22, in an alley behind the bar and said he had bloodshot eyes, smelled of alcohol and was having difficulty balancing.
Vandermaten admitted to punching the wall, according to police complaints, and told police he had drank "a lot," according to the complaints. He also said that a bartender had told him he could punch the wall.
A breath test showed Vandermaten had a blood alcohol content of .175 percent.
Vandermaten has been charged with public intoxication and fifth-degree criminal mischief, both simple misdemeanors punishable by up to 30 days in jail.
Vandermaten is a senior right-handed pitcher who's gone 2-0 with a 4.19 ERA this season for the Hawkeyes and previously played at Central Iowa Community College. He is originally from Fort Dodge.
The Hawkeyes are 24-24 for the season and 10-11 in the Big Ten.
Metal Press Stamping Machine Reach Stephen Gruber-Miller at 319-887-5407 or sgrubermil@press-citizen.com. Follow him at @sgrubermiller.