24 Hawkeyes to Watch 2018-19 | Hawk Talk Monthly — March | Hawkeye Fan Shop — A Black & Gold Store
IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa baseball team brings a four-game winning streak into two midweek games at Duane Banks Field. The Hawkeyes will host Clarke University at 4:05 p.m. (CT) on Tuesday and Illinois State at 6:05 p.m. Wednesday.
Tickets for Tuesday’s game (and hot dogs) are $2. Wednesday is “Way Back Wednesday,” featuring $2 tickets and $2 popcorn. Tickets are available at hawkeyesports.com/tickets.
Iowa is currently 15-10 overall after sweeping No. 23 Illinois last weekend in Iowa City. Clarke is 15-13 overall, winning four straight and seven of their last 10, while Illinois State has dropped seven straight to even its record at 13-13.
The Hawkeyes are coming off a weekend where they limited the Fighting Illini to six runs, posting a 2.00 ERA over 27 innings. Iowa utilized just seven pitchers in the three games. Offensively, junior Austin Martin hit .444 (4-of-9) with four RBIs and three runs scored. His two-run triple in the series finale was the difference.
Clarke is hitting .278 as a team with 59 extra base hits (33 doubles, four triples, and 22 home runs) in 28 games. Connor Floyd is leading the Pride with a .379 average.
On the mound, Clarke has a 3.69 team ERA, striking out 235 in 205 innings of work.
Illinois State, who hosts Eastern Illinois on Tuesday, is hitting .288 as a team with five players hitting over .300. Jordan Libman is leading the team with a .357 average in 26 games, while Joe Aeilts has a .345 clip with six doubles, five home runs, and 20 RBIs.
The Redbirds’ pitching staff has a 5.55 ERA, allowing 250 hits over 227 innings. The staff has 216 strikeouts to 126 walks, but opposing hitters have a .283 average. Illinois State is led by first-year head coach and former big leaguer, Steve Holm. Holm was the pitching coach at Purdue the past two seasons.
Tuesday and Wednesday’s game will be streamed on BTN Plus on BTN2Go. The games will also be available on the Hawkeye Radio Network with Zach Mackey on the call.
The Hawkeyes close out their season-long nine game home stand this weekend, hosting Rutgers for a three-game series. Friday’s first pitch is set for 6:05 p.m.
