No one had Iowa on their radar at the start of the season. Coach Rick Heller has certainly done a lot to create some buzz around Iowa City and on the national scene with his team. The early buzz was about Maryland, Nebraska and Illinois but a lack of strength of schedule for the orange at 177 has them in trouble and they don’t play Iowa or Maryland.
Blake Headley, Nebraska Baseball (photo Kelli Anne)
On paper this is a very close one to call. If you look at strength of schedule and RPI, Nebraska should win the series. I guess that’s why they play the games. [Iowa SOS = 115, RPI 55. Huskers SOS = 81, RPI 15]
Iowa took the series from Maryland (Nebraska was swept by MD) for comparison. They are currently ranked #19 in D1 Baseball Top 25 and as high as #17 in others. Huskers dropped out this week falling from #23.
Ryan Boldt, Husker Baseball (photo by Kelli Anne)
Heavy hitters for the Hawkeyes are Tyler Peyton .363, Eric Toole .329, Jake Mangler .312, and Nick Day .313. The team has hit 10 homeruns this season and a total of 164 RBIs. To compare with Big Red, the Huskers have hit 13 homeruns and 175 RBIs. Currently only Ryan Boldt and Jake Schleppenbach have averages over .300 of the players with double digit starts. Although Huskers outhit them in doubles and triples, the numbers are close enough to say they are evenly matched.
This is shaping up to be a pitching dual more than anything which is fine with me. I think the Huskers have the edge in the bullpen between Howell, Chestnut and Roeder. Iowa’s weekend rotation of Calvin Mathews, Black Hickman and Tyler Peyton have good statistics and ERAs of 2.01, 2.56 and 2.83. It won’t be easy to break through so it won’t be a high scoring affair. The flipside for the Huskers would be Sinclair, Kubat and Burkamper with 3.30, 2.19 and 3.65.
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The bullpen and defense may very well be the difference maker in this series. If you match the numbers, they are pretty dang close as well. The team with the least amount of errors could very well win. I would give the edge to our bullpen too. The key for the Huskers offensively will be to get ahead and maintain it. Iowa is 2-9 at home when trailing after 7 innings.
Huskers play away at Iowa City Friday at 6 pm, Saturday at 3 pm and Sunday at 1 pm. Friday and Saturday’s games will be available on BTN Plus. Time for the Big Red to make a huge statement heading into the last surge of the season. GO BIG RED!!!