Dear Old Gold
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Iowa Hawkeyes: Black and Gold Morning Brew

By Dylan Burn

Mar 20, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes cheerleaders perform against the Villanova Wildcats during the first half in the second round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes cheerleaders perform against the Villanova Wildcats during the first half in the second round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Black and Gold Morning Brew keeps Iowa Hawkeyes fans up to date on everything happening regarding their Hawks.

Not that it came as a shock to anyone that follows the Hawkeyes closely, but freshman walk-on Nicholas Baer was finally awarded a scholarship after being a big time contributor for a Hawkeye team that made the round of 32 this past season.  Baer, a soon-to-be sophomore from Bettendorf, Iowa, averaged 4.8 points and 2.6 rebounds for Fran McCaffery’s club this past season.

It all started in mid-December when Baer broke out against Drake.  Fans immediately started clamoring for Baer to get a scholarship.  Obviously, it was impossible to award him a scholarship mid-season, but after two transfers in the past two weeks, Baer gets what he deserved.  He’ll be a scholarship athlete for a young Hawkeye team next season.

The Iowa Football team added a preferred walk-on over this past weekend when Austin Spiewak decided to become a Hawkeye.  Spiewak is a native of Illinois, who’s grandfather also played at Iowa, according to Blair Sanderson.  Iowa now has 10 preferred walk-ons in the class of 2016.  Spiewak is a long-snapper.

He’s not exactly going to make national news, but it’s kids like this that make the Iowa program.  He’ll come in and work hard for Kirk Ferentz and hopefully he’ll see time before his career is all said and done.

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The Iowa Baseball team was paced by Joel Booker, who had three hits in the Hawkeyes’ 9-1 win over Milwaukee on Wednesday evening in Iowa City.  The Hawks haven’t exactly met their own expectations so far this year, but they held Milwaukee to just two total hits and got a much needed confidence boost heading into the weekend against Illinois.

Zach Daniels and Tyler Peyton each added two hits a piece while Mason McCoy drove in three runs on his first home run of the season.  Shane Ritter, Cole McDonald, and Sam Lizarraga combined for six innings pitched, while allowing zero hits over that time.  Lizarraga earned his first win of the season.

The Hawkeyes welcome in the Illinois Fighting Illini for the weekend.  The two teams will kick things off tomorrow afternoon at 4:05 p.m. CT at Duane Banks Field in Iowa City.  C.J. Eldred gets the start for the Hawkeyes.

LINKS

Looking for something to do this weekend?  Iowa takes on Illinois in a three game set at Duane Banks Field starting Friday.  Get caught up with the official game notes.

Blair Sanderson talks about Iowa adding a preferred walk-on long snapper from Illinois this past weekend.  Now makes 10 preferred walk-ons in 2016.

Black Heart Gold Pants provides a flurry of things they’ll be watching for in Iowa’s spring practice later today inside Valley Stadium in West Des Moines.

Next: Baer Earns Scholarship

That’s all I have for today Hawk fans, be sure to check back in with us over the weekend as we’ll provide coverage of the spring game and Iowa’s three game set with the fighting Illini.