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Iowa Baseball Looks To Spring Swing For Legitimacy

By Derek Helling

Oct 16, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of baseballs during batting practice prior to game one of the ALCS between the Kansas City Royals and the Toronto Blue Jays at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of baseballs during batting practice prior to game one of the ALCS between the Kansas City Royals and the Toronto Blue Jays at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /
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Iowa’s home opener was a lot of fun. It seemed the Hawkeyes could do no wrong.

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Just days after that 28-0 victory, the University of Iowa baseball team wants to prove that performance was more of a true representation of its quality than the other nine games it played prior to that contest.

In its previous nine games against five different teams Iowa has been inconsistent on offense, vulnerable on defense and unsettled in its pitching roles. Enter this weekend’s Spring Swing at LakePointe in Emerson, Ga. The Hawkeyes will face four different opponents in four days, and winning here could help legitimize Iowa.

Friday, March 11, 3:30 p.m. EST/2:30 p.m. CST: Iowa – CJ Eldred (1-0, 1.00 earned run average) vs. Omaha – Tyler Fox (2-1, 2.04 ERA)

Omaha comes in at an even 7-7, and that .500 record is because the Mavericks score runs – and give up runs – nearly at will. Omaha is averaging nearly six runs scored per game, but has a team ERA over six. If Eldred can continue to pitch like he has so far this season – taking a no-hitter into the eighth inning of his last start – Iowa has a great chance to get its fifth win of the season on Friday.

Saturday, March 12, 4:30 p.m. EST/3:30 p.m. CST: Iowa – Tyler Peyton (0-2, 4.82 ERA) vs. Seton Hall – Cullen Dana (1-0, 2.45 ERA)

Seton Hall has faced two other Big 10 teams so far this season, and fared respectably. The Pirates are 2-1 in three games against Indiana and Ohio State. Dana represents the second left-handed starter the Hawkeyes have seen so far this season, and the first of two freshmen that Iowa will face this weekend. His numbers have been good so far this year; 11 innings over two starts while allowing just four hits and striking out 11 to four walks.

Peyton will be back on the mound after missing last Friday’s start due to forearm tightness. He played in the final two games of the series at Southern Illinois, along with Tuesday, and was productive at the plate.

The Hawkeyes need to rattle Dana early to take advantage of his inexperience and give Peyton a lead to pitch with. While Five Pirates are hitting over .300 so far this season, the team average is a mere .266. Picking his spots and being careful with those Seton Hall hitters who can do damage should be a strategy for success for Peyton. If that works, Iowa could get back to .500 on the season.

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Sunday, March 13, 1 p.m. EDT/noon CDT: Iowa – Calvin Mathews (0-1, 3.00 ERA) vs. Savannah State – Gregory Hollman (0-1, 5.28 ERA)

Hollman represents the second consecutive freshman starter that the Hawkeyes will see this weekend, and his struggles are typical of the team as a whole. The Tigers come in at 4-10, hitting just .247 as a team and with a 6.66 team ERA. It would be very encouraging to finally see Mathews go longer than four innings in this start, and if things go right, put the Hawkeyes above .500 for the first time in 2016.

Monday, March 14, 2:30 p.m. EDT/1:30 p.m. CDT: Iowa – TBA vs. Point University – TBA

Point University is a NAIA school in the area, who comes in at 7-12. While they have pitched better than Savannah State, the offense has struggled more than the Tigers’. It’s entirely possible that we could see Iowa replicate Tuesday’s game in this contest. If the Hawkeyes can prevail in their first three contests, a weekend sweep is definitely a possibility.

The worst case scenario this weekend should be a 2-2 split, but a good chance to go 3-1 exists. Going 4-0 is very possible, and would be a great thing for the Hawkeyes’ confidence and reputation.

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