The Hawkeyes have found themselves with a 20-11 overall record but just 3-3 in Big Ten play which puts them tied for 7^th in the conference with Michigan State. Coming up this weekend is a vital three game series against the Nebraska Cornhuskers who currently sit at number two in the Big Ten standings with a 4-1-1 record and a similar 20-11-1 overall record.

Iowa took a big blow to their starting pitching rotation early in the year when it was announced that junior pitcher, C.J Eldred, would miss the season with a right elbow injury that would require surgery. But none-the-less the season continued on and while in the pre-season Eldred claimed that himself and fellow starting pitcher, sophomore, Nick Gallagher,

could be “the nation’s best 1-2 punch in a weekend rotation” Gallagher had to take that job on his own. Half way through the season Gallagher hoists a very respectable 2.15 ERA with a 4-1 record in 7 game appearances (all in which he started). While Gallagher has been productive in his all of his starts, another sophomore pitcher, Zach Daniels, has made the most out of his opportunities. While Daniels has struggled at times, he has given up a tied team high 3 home runs; he currently sits tied at 3^rd in the nation among all D-1 baseball players with 6 victories. While Daniels comes in during relief innings, his wins come in large part thanks to the Hawkeye bats.

Leading the way for the Hawkeye hitters is Junior First Baseman, Jake Adams.

Adam’s currently is ranked 4^th nationally with his team high 13 home runs. Adam’s is also ranked 8^th in the nation in runs batted in (RBI) with 43 but those runs wouldn’t be possible without hitters like Mason McCoy batting in front of him. McCoy another Hawkeye Senior, currently sits at 34^th in the nation with only 9 strikeouts in 121 plate appearances. McCoy who is currently batting .347 (second on the team) and not only is McCoy getting the job done at the plate, he’s also excelling in the field. McCoy is currently helping the Hawkeyes defense, which is ranked 17^th in fielding percentage, by upholding a .983 fielding percentage himself. This might not be a team that will get into a “run-fest” with you, but they will make the plays they need to and will wait for you to make the mistake for them to take advantage of.

Going into this weekend’s contest against Nebraska, the Hawkeyes need to be ready to swing the bats as the Cornhuskers are currently allowing over 8 hits a game but have the Big Ten’s second lowest earned run average with just over 3 which places them in the top 25 in the nation. First pitch is scheduled for Friday April 14^th at 6:35 in Lincoln, Nebraska.

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With pitchers and catchers reporting to their respective training camps to prepare for the Major League season this week, Iowa baseball also had their media day this past week as they prepare for the upcoming season. “Our culture is really strong and really good.” Hawkeye Head Coach Rick Heller said to the media on Friday. A strong culture is definitely what Coach Heller has developed in his three years as the Hawkeyes head coach posting a 101-67 record during that span. One thing that Coach Heller has often turned to, to lead his team are seniors, and pitching. This year, he definitely has one of them.

When you look at the Iowa roster, you will see many names you haven’t seen before. That’s because this Iowa team hosts twenty-two new players. “Our captains have done an amazing job. Guys like Corbin Woods, Mason McCoy, Josh Martsching, and C.J. Eldred did a nice job setting the tone with this team and not letting the culture go backward.” Hawkeye athletic teams are not shy about demanding leadership from their seniors, but will this year’s crop be enough? Coach Heller is, “worried” about having so many new faces on the roster this year but Coach Heller, “feels good about the makeup of the team.”  While this team might not have as much senior leadership as they are accustomed to, they definitely won’t be lacking in pitching.

The 2017 Hawkeye’s return 10 pitchers from last year’s pitching staff; A staff that posted an outstanding 3.54 combined ERA (second best in school history), a staff that also set a school-record with 382 strikeouts. While having 22 new faces to a team can be scary, it can also add some real depth. Adding to this impressive pitching rotation are a few new faces in its own including: two players named in Perfect Games top 500, an All-Conference Honorable mention transfer, and as well as a one of the “top prospects in the nation” according to The Scouting News. One of those players to keep an eye on is Freshman Cole Pennock. Pennock is joining the team from Clinton High School in Clinton, Iowa. Pennock was one of the players ranked in the top-500 and the prospect The Scouting News deemed as one of the best. Another player to look out for this year is Kole Kampen. Kampen is another freshman joining the team from Fort Dodge, Iowa. Kempen was the other new Hawkeye addition added from the top-500 and in 2015, his senior year in high school, Kampen was named to the first-team all-state by IHSBCA. The third addition to remember is Nick Nelsen. Nelson is a transfer student from Johnson County (Kan.) Community College. Last year for the Cavaliers, Nelson went 5-1 with a 2.36 era and was an Honorable mention for the all-conference team.

“We have had good pitching the last three years and we feel this staff might be the deepest from top to bottom” Coach Heller said. It’s no secret that defense and pitching wins baseball championships. The Hawkeyes will start the season on the road as they face South Florida in a three game series starting this Friday, February 17^th.

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