Even though the Hawkeyes ultimately couldn't complete the sweep over Big Ten rival Illinois, it was a solid weekend and a series win for Rick Heller's club.
Iowa is getting hot at the right time, having now won two straight series after sweeping Indiana and taking two of three at home against Illinois.
The offense has continued to produce at a high level, but with the regular season coming to a close, it is the defense that has keeping the squad in the top of the Big Ten.
Iowa's elite defense will take them as far as they want to go
If the Hawkeyes had slightly better pitching, there is no doubt they would be well above .500 in the conference as the regular season wraps up.
Boasting a 5.95 team ERA, the pitching staff has been inconsistent this season after a great season last year, but the bats and elite defense have propelled the team to success.
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— Sam Basler (@Sam_Basler) May 2, 2026
Iowa’s defense ranks 4th in the NCAA with a .985 fielding percentage.#Hawkeyes https://t.co/XlkP8r3n7E
Iowa leads the Big Ten in fielding percentage at 98.5, just ahead of rival Minnesota's 98.4. Not only is Iowa the best fielding team in the Big Ten, but they are ranked No. 4 overall in college baseball
The elite defense was on full display in the series win over Illinois, with web gems happening all over the field last weekend.
After a mid-week game against St. Thomas, the Hawkeyes close the regular season with a three-game series at Nebraska in Lincoln and a three-game series against Purdue at Principal Park in Des Moines, just ahead of the Big Ten Tournament.
The top 12 Big Ten Teams make it to Omaha for the Big Ten Tournament, and with Iowa currently sitting at No. 8, they can't afford to drop any games, especially with Nebraska (No. 2) and Purdue (No. 6) sitting just ahead of them.
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