The Buckeyes open the Big 10 part of their schedule with a 4 game series vs the Iowa Hawkeyes at Bill Davis Stadium in Columbus. The Bucks are 14-3 and on a 13 game win streak. The Hawks come in at 10-5 having defeated beaten Illinois State 15-3 Wednesday in Bloomington, IL.
Iowa Hawkeye Preview
Official Site
The Hawks are 10-5 on the year, with split series against Fresno State and Dallas Baptist and a 4 game sweep of North Dakota State.
More on the Hawks
KNOCKING THEM IN ? Junior catcher Dusty Napoleon leads the Big Ten with 22 RBIs. Over the weekend, he had a career-high five in Friday's second game.
Napoleon has been on fire lately, raising his batting average to .388.
POWER SURGE ? In their first 14 games, the Hawkeyes have hit nine home runs - just one short of the team's total from last year. Last season, Iowa didn't hit its first home run until April 2 (Ben Geelan vs. Ohio State).
Three players - Travis Sweet, Jason White and Wes Freie - have two each, which ties them for last year's team lead.
SCHURZ THE STOPPER ? Closer Mike Schurz is doing well in his new role as the Iowa closer. So far, he is 3-0 with a pair of saves. He has 14 strikeouts, just two walks and has yet to give up a run in 10 innings pitched.
GRYZWA GOES DEEP ? Hawkeye sophomore Ryan Gryzwa has been clubbing the ball in limited action this season, and is hitting a team-high .429. This past Sunday, Gryzwa hit his first-career home run.
WHITE WALKS ? Senior shortstop Jason White has been demonstrating a keen eye this season, and leads the team with 18 base on balls. He is 10 walks ahead of Kevin Hoef and Dusty Napoleon, who are tied for second.
SWEET ON THE BASEPATHS ? Hawkeye junior Travis Sweet has been a terror for opponents on the basepaths, leading the team with 12 swipes. That total ties him with Andrew Means of Indiana for second in the Big Ten.
BRUNE THE STARTER ? Hawkeye senior Scott Brune made his first start in two years after working exclusively out of the bullpen the last two years.
The Peosta, IA, native impressed, scattering seven hits over six and 1/3 innings, allowing three runs.
Earlier this season, Brune made five relief appearances and had a 3.00 ERA with nine strikeouts. He served as Iowa's primary setup man the last two seasons.
My best guess for Iowa starters is:
Steve Turnbill - Game 1
Scott Brune - Game 2
David Conroy - Game 3
Mike Jacobs - Game 4
Closer Mike Shurtz is 3-0 with a 0.00 ERA
Iowa Hawkeye Preview
Official Site
The Hawks are 10-5 on the year, with split series against Fresno State and Dallas Baptist and a 4 game sweep of North Dakota State.
More on the Hawks
KNOCKING THEM IN ? Junior catcher Dusty Napoleon leads the Big Ten with 22 RBIs. Over the weekend, he had a career-high five in Friday's second game.
Napoleon has been on fire lately, raising his batting average to .388.
POWER SURGE ? In their first 14 games, the Hawkeyes have hit nine home runs - just one short of the team's total from last year. Last season, Iowa didn't hit its first home run until April 2 (Ben Geelan vs. Ohio State).
Three players - Travis Sweet, Jason White and Wes Freie - have two each, which ties them for last year's team lead.
SCHURZ THE STOPPER ? Closer Mike Schurz is doing well in his new role as the Iowa closer. So far, he is 3-0 with a pair of saves. He has 14 strikeouts, just two walks and has yet to give up a run in 10 innings pitched.
GRYZWA GOES DEEP ? Hawkeye sophomore Ryan Gryzwa has been clubbing the ball in limited action this season, and is hitting a team-high .429. This past Sunday, Gryzwa hit his first-career home run.
WHITE WALKS ? Senior shortstop Jason White has been demonstrating a keen eye this season, and leads the team with 18 base on balls. He is 10 walks ahead of Kevin Hoef and Dusty Napoleon, who are tied for second.
SWEET ON THE BASEPATHS ? Hawkeye junior Travis Sweet has been a terror for opponents on the basepaths, leading the team with 12 swipes. That total ties him with Andrew Means of Indiana for second in the Big Ten.
BRUNE THE STARTER ? Hawkeye senior Scott Brune made his first start in two years after working exclusively out of the bullpen the last two years.
The Peosta, IA, native impressed, scattering seven hits over six and 1/3 innings, allowing three runs.
Earlier this season, Brune made five relief appearances and had a 3.00 ERA with nine strikeouts. He served as Iowa's primary setup man the last two seasons.
My best guess for Iowa starters is:
Steve Turnbill - Game 1
Scott Brune - Game 2
David Conroy - Game 3
Mike Jacobs - Game 4
Closer Mike Shurtz is 3-0 with a 0.00 ERA
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