Right when they need to be, Iowa baseball is playing some of its best ball right here in the home stretch of the season.
The Hawkeyes swept Michigan State this weekend, winning 9-0 on Friday, 8-6 on Saturday and 5-1 on Mother’s Day. Iowa has now won back-to-back Big Ten series and 12 of its past 14 contests.
Marcus Morgan was fabulous on Friday, tossing six no-hit, shutout innings to help set the stage. Meanwhile, Sam Petersen was 4-for-4 with a solo home run and two runs scored and Brayden Frazier was 2-for-4 with a double and a home run tallying two RBIs. Cade Moss and Raider Tello each added two RBIs for Iowa as well.
On Saturday, Iowa coughed up its two-run lead in the seventh as the Spartans tied things up 5-5 following a rain delay. The Hawkeyes responded with a three-run eighth to capture the series win. Brennen Dorighi led the Hawkeyes with a 2-for-4 day hitting two home runs and bringing home three RBIs. Ben Wilmes was 2-for-4 with a home run and a pair of RBIs.
Then, on Mother’s Day, Brody Brecht struck out eight and surrendered just one to guide the Hawkeyes’ sweep. Raider Tello was 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Michael Seegers was 2-for-4 with a solo home run and Brennen Dorighi was 2-for-4 with one RBI.
All of this comes on the heels of a series win over Ohio State. In its most recent Field of 64 projection, D1Baseball.com projects Iowa as a No. 3 seed in top-seeded South Carolina’s Columbia Regional. The Hawkeyes would square off against No. 2 seed North Carolina.
Elsewhere, College Sports Madness had Iowa as one of its last four teams in with its May 9 college baseball Bracketology. The Hawkeyes would join Indiana and Maryland under College Sports Madness’ prediction.
Here’s a look at the best photos from a pair of pivotal weeks for the Hawkeyes’ postseason chances.