Rick Heller

Rick Heller

The 17th ranked Iowa Hawkeye baseball team opens a three-game Big Ten series at home against Nebraska on Friday night. At 10-2, the Hawks are in second place a half game behind league leading Illinois.

Iowa coach Rick Heller says it’s a tough stretch facing the Huskers and then going to Michigan, but he says he is looking forward to it and the team is looking forward to it. Nebraska is 6-6 in the Big Ten but at 30-13 overall the Huskers have their sights on an NCAA berth.

Heller says Nebraska is a team similar to his as they play “outstanding defense” have good team speed, pitching and they play hard.

One of the biggest keys for the Hawkeyes has been starting pitching. He says they’ve also been getting some good bullpen work, and along with the top starting pitching, they have a chance in these games.

Iowa is 27-11. The series concludes on Sunday.