Tag: Iowa baseball

Iowa baseball adds Creighton transfer Anthony Watts

Iowa baseball continued morphing its roster, adding Creighton transfer right-handed pitcher Anthony Watts.

The Iowa Hawkeyes‘ offseason retooling continues. Iowa added Creighton right-handed pitcher Anthony Watts via the NCAA transfer portal.

Originally a product of Waukee Northwest, Watts makes his return to the Hawkeye State with three years of eligibility remaining. In his lone season at Creighton, Watts made eight starts across 14 overall appearances. He compiled a 2-3 record with a 5.15 ERA with 26 strikeouts against 25 walks.

“I will be transferring to the University of Iowa to complete my final 3 years of eligibility. Go Hawks,” Watts wrote in his Twitter announcement.

In his senior season at Waukee Northwest, Watts registered a 9-1 record with a 1.20 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, .167 opponents batting average and 121 strikeouts in 62 innings pitched. He also threw the first no-hitter in school history and a 16-strikeout no-hitter without a walk. Those types of numbers and performances earned him Iowa Pitcher of the Year, first-team All-State and first-team All-Conference in the Central Iowa Metro League.

Per On3’s Kyle Huesmann, Watts chose Iowa over offers from TCU, Washington State and Baylor. The 6-foot-4, 175 pound righty joins recent transfer portal additions Brant Hogue from Oklahoma State and Reece Beuter from Dallas Baptist.

“I want to come in and help the team out any way I can. They see a weekend spot wide open and think I have a shot to earn that role. However, there is a lot of high leverage innings to fill in the bullpen,” Watts told Huesmann of his potential role with Iowa.

He also shared a little bit about his pitching arsenal with Huesmann.

Anthony throws a fastball/sinker that sits in the low 90’s, but reaches as high as 95 mph. He says his best pitch is his slider (85-86), but he also has a changeup (80-82). He plans to spend the offseason improving both of his offspeed pitches. According to D1Baseball advanced stats, opponents hit .272 on balls in plays against Watts, while 47.3% of balls in play went for ground balls. – Huesmann, Hawkeye Report.

Watts is the third transfer portal addition for Iowa since the 2023 season ended. He joins Oklahoma State left-handed transfer pitcher Brant Hogue and Dallas Baptist right-handed transfer pitcher Reece Beuter. Hogue made just three appearances last season with Oklahoma State before a partial UCL tear ended his season with the Cowboys.

Before that, Hogue tossed 59 1/3 innings with the Iowa Western Reivers, surrendering just 11 earned runs to post a 1.67 ERA across 13 starts and 14 overall appearances. Hogue ended the 2022 season with a perfect 6-0 record and he racked up 93 strikeouts against just 16 walks. His strikeouts per nine innings while at Iowa Western was 14.11. Hogue had one complete game performance as well.

Beuter made 15 appearances with the Patriots, compiling a 4.86 ERA across 16 2/3 innings of work. The 6-foot-1, 196 pound redshirt junior struck out 15 and walked six.

The trio of Watts, Hogue and Beuter join a list of newcomers that will be hoping to build upon one of the best seasons in Hawkeye history.

Iowa also signed right-handed pitcher Sam Hart out of Indian Hills Community College in November and Ganon Archer out of Kirkwood Community College in December. Here’s a look at the rest of Iowa’s 11-man signing class from November.

Iowa ended the 2023 season with a record-tying number of wins, finishing with a 44-16 mark and a regional final appearance against Indiana State.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

[affiliatewidget_smgtolocal]

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Josh on Twitter: @JoshOnREF

Brody Brecht makes another All-American team

Brody Brecht grabbed another All-American honor, picking up third team recognition from Perfect Game.

Iowa is a throwing team! At least the baseball squad is.

While the Iowa football program has struggled mightily over the past few years to throw the ball, it’s actually an area where their baseball program has excelled. Funnily enough, a former Hawkeyes football player is leading the charge on the mound.

Brody Brecht decided this year to fully commit to baseball, pursuing the sport where his future was brightest. The choice has worked wonders for the sophomore, Brecht recently named a third-team All-American by Perfect Game. The news comes days after Brecht was selected as a third-team All-American by the NCBWA.

Brecht continues a streak of Iowa All-Americans on the mound. The Ankeny, Iowa, native joins Adam Mazur and Trenton Wallace as Iowa’s third straight.

Brecht earned third-team honors after going 5-2 with a 3.74 ERA in 16 starts. The right-hander posted four quality starts and fanned 109 batters over 77 innings. The Ankeny, Iowa native leads the nation in hits allowed per nine innings (4.32).

Brecht’s excellence on the mound helped Iowa to one of their best seasons in program history, finishing with a team record-tying 44 wins. The Hawkeyes advanced to the Big Ten Tournament championship game and subsequently won two games at the Terre Haute Regional. It was Iowa’s first NCAA Regional appearance since 2017.

Brecht is a name to watch out for ahead of the 2024 MLB draft. Analysts and scouts have raved about his fantastic stuff, specifically his lightning fastball. He is viewed as a potential top prospect.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

[affiliatewidget_smgtolocal]

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Jacob on Twitter: @Jacobkeppen

Brody Brecht earns NCBWA All-American honors

After a fabulous sophomore season, Brody Brecht keeps garnering recognition. He was honored as an NCBWA All-American.

After a terrific sophomore campaign, the recognition keeps rolling in for junior-to-be Brody Brecht. Brecht was recognized by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association as a third-team All-American.

The 6-foot-4, 205 pound right-hander ascended into the Iowa Hawkeyes‘ weekend rotation, starting 16 games and registering a 5-2 record with a 3.74 ERA. He posted four quality starts and struck out an astounding 109 opposing hitters across 77 innings of work.

The Ankeny, Iowa, native led the nation in hits allowed per nine innings (4.32) and he established himself as an oftentimes dominant force in the Hawkeye rotation. As a result, he helped Iowa to a regional final appearance in the Hawkeyes’ sixth all-time NCAA Tournament trip. The Hawks tied their school record for wins this season with 44.

It’s the second straight season with serious postseason recognition for Brecht. Last year, Brecht was named a freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball and Perfect Game a year ago. Meanwhile, Brecht’s return alongside fellow junior-to-be Marcus Morgan in the Hawkeyes’ starting rotation has Iowa fans thinking about even more in 2024.

Recently, Iowa has added a pair of transfer arms to bolster its pitching staff via the transfer portal. The Hawkeyes have brought in Oklahoma State transfer Brant Hogue and Dallas Baptist transfer Reece Beuter.

As Hawkeye Report’s Kyle Huesmann notes, a partial UCL tear cut Hogue’s season short with the Cowboys in April. While he didn’t see much work at all at Oklahoma State, he was fantastic during the 2022 campaign with Iowa Western.

The 6-foot-4, 223 pound lefty tossed 59 1/3 innings with the Reivers, surrendering just 11 earned runs to post a 1.67 ERA across 13 starts and 14 overall appearances. Hogue ended the 2022 season with a perfect 6-0 record and he racked up 93 strikeouts against just 16 walks. His strikeouts per nine innings while at Iowa Western was 14.11. Hogue had one complete game performance as well.

Beuter made 15 appearances with the Patriots, compiling a 4.86 ERA across 16 2/3 innings of work. The 6-foot-1, 196 pound redshirt junior struck out 15 and walked six.

Beuter had a pair of outings in February and March where he tossed two innings against Austin Peay and Grambling, respectively. Those were his longest outings of the 2023 season. He also threw 1 2/3 innings of one-run ball against Oklahoma State in an 18-4 win over the Cowboys in the Stillwater Regional.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

[affiliatewidget_smgtolocal]

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Josh on Twitter: @JoshOnREF

Iowa baseball adds another arm in Dallas Baptist transfer Reece Beuter

Iowa added another arm out of the transfer portal, bringing in Dallas Baptist right-hander Reece Beuter.

Iowa head baseball coach Rick Heller and pitching coach Sean McGrath continue to restock the cupboard with talented arms from other places.

First, it was former Iowa Western product and Oklahoma State transfer Brant Hogue. Now, redshirt junior Reece Beuter has announced he is transferring to the Iowa Hawkeyes after spending one season with Dallas Baptist.

Beuter made 15 appearances with the Patriots, compiling a 4.86 ERA across 16 2/3 innings of work. The 6-foot-1, 196 pound redshirt junior struck out 15 and walked six.

Beuter had a pair of outings in February and March where he tossed two innings against Austin Peay and Grambling, respectively. Those were his longest outings of the 2023 season. He also threw 1 2/3 innings of one-run ball against Oklahoma State in an 18-4 win over the Cowboys in the Stillwater Regional.

“I will be transferring to the University of Iowa to complete my last two years of eligibility. Excited for this opportunity! #GoHawks,” Beuter wrote in his social media announcement.

Originally a native of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Beuter spent his first two collegiate seasons with Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Falls. He started 13 games in 2021, compiling a 4.26 ERA and a 6-3 record with a pair of complete-game performances. Beuter struck out 79 and walked 28 during his lone season of action at Kirkwood. Tommy John surgery sidelined him during his sophomore season before the move to Dallas Baptist.

On3’s Kyle Huesmann caught up with Beuter to discuss how he arrived with the Hawkeyes and what he expects his role to be at Iowa.

“We have talked through that a couple times they mentioned that a starting rotation spot is open and I may have an opportunity to compete for that but then there is also lots of innings to fill in the bullpen as well, which is where I was at this past season,” Beuter told Huesmann and Hawkeye Report.

Huesmann noted that 61.1% of balls in play against Beuter were ground balls compared to just 18.5% of balls in play as fly balls. He also shared this breakdown of Beuter’s pitching repertoire.

He throws a 4-seam fastball 92-95 mph, but has topped out at 96 mph. He also has a sinker (91-93) and a slider (81-84). – Huesmann, Hawkeye Report.

Iowa returns juniors Marcus Morgan and Brody Brecht atop its starting rotation. Morgan ended 2023 with a 5-2 record and a 3.72 ERA, while Brecht posted a 5-2 record and a 3.74 ERA. Brecht finished with 109 strikeouts.

In the bullpen, Iowa is expected to bring back Luke Llewellyn, Cade Obermueller, Aaron Savary, Zach Voelker, Jack Whitlock.

Meanwhile, Hogue is a 6-foot-4, 223 pound lefty that tossed 59 1/3 innings with the Reivers during the 2022 season. He surrendered just 11 earned runs to post a 1.67 ERA across 13 starts and 14 overall appearances that season.

Hogue ended 2022 with a perfect 6-0 record and he racked up 93 strikeouts against just 16 walks. His strikeouts per nine innings while at Iowa Western was 14.11. Hogue had one complete game performance as well.

Iowa also signed right-handed pitcher Sam Hart out of Indian Hills Community College in November and Ganon Archer out of Kirkwood Community College in December. Here’s a look at the rest of Iowa’s 11-man signing class from November.

Iowa ended the 2023 season with a record-tying number of wins, finishing with a 44-16 mark and a regional final appearance against Indiana State.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

[affiliatewidget_smgtolocal]

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Josh on Twitter: @JoshOnREF

Iowa baseball’s Sam Hojnar enters NCAA transfer portal

After starting 57 games this past season, Iowa second baseman Sam Hojnar entered the NCAA’s transfer portal.

As the offseason rolls on, the makeup of the Iowa Hawkeyes for 2024 continues to evolve and change.

The 2023 season was a historic one in Iowa City as Rick Heller and Hawkeye baseball tied a school record with 44 wins and made a regional final appearance against Indiana State. Now, the hope is that the Hawks can keep it rolling with back-to-back NCAA Tournament and regional appearances.

And, of course, taking it one step further to a Super Regional or beyond.

That won’t be with second baseman Sam Hojnar, though. D1Baseball and Kyle Huesmann of On3’s Hawkeye Report confirmed that Hojnar has entered the NCAA transfer portal.

A 6-foot-2, 185 pound native of Naperville, Ill., Hojnar is heading elsewhere. Hojnar was a mainstay in the Hawkeye infield this season, appearing in 59 of 60 games and starting 57 of them.

He finished with a .255 batting average, 59 RBIs, 42 runs scored, 21 walks, 10 home runs, 13 doubles and one triple. Hojnar also converted on a perfect 11-for-11 stolen base attempts.

The likely starter going forward at second base for Iowa is sophomore Gable Mitchell. Mitchell started five games and played in 31, compiling a .121 batting average, eight walks, five RBIs and a pair of doubles. Sophomore Blake Guerin will be expected to take over at first base alongside Mitchell on the right side of the Hawkeyes’ infield.

Meanwhile, on the left side of its infield, Iowa will return senior shortstop Michael Seegers and redshirt junior third baseman Raider Tello. Seegers registered a .322 batting average with 57 runs scored and 31 RBIs, while Tello hit .306, tallied 48 RBIs and scored 47 runs.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

[affiliatewidget_smgtolocal]

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Josh on Twitter: @JoshOnREF

Brant Hogue announces transfer to Iowa baseball

The Iowa Hawkeyes just upgraded their pitching staff, adding former Iowa Western and Oklahoma State lefty Brant Hogue.

The Iowa Hawkeyes upgraded their pitching staff heading into the 2024 season with a piece that’s plenty familiar with the Hawkeye State.

Iowa head baseball coach Rick Heller and the Hawkeyes added left-handed transfer pitcher Brant Houge from Oklahoma State. As Hawkeye Report’s Kyle Huesmann notes, a partial UCL tear cut his season short with the Cowboys in April. While he didn’t see much work at all at Oklahoma State, he was fantastic during the 2022 campaign with Iowa Western.

The 6-foot-4, 223 pound lefty tossed 59 1/3 innings with the Reivers, surrendering just 11 earned runs to post a 1.67 ERA across 13 starts and 14 overall appearances. Hogue ended the 2022 season with a perfect 6-0 record and he racked up 93 strikeouts against just 16 walks. His strikeouts per nine innings while at Iowa Western was 14.11. Hogue had one complete game performance as well.

“I am very happy to announce that I am transferring to the University of Iowa for my final two years of eligibility. Go Hawks!” Hogue wrote in his social media announcement.

A native of Sioux City, Iowa, and a product of Bishop Heelan, Hogue is from the state of Iowa and familiar with the Hawkeye program. He will have two years of eligibility remaining. Though he appeared in just three games with Oklahoma State, his JUCO track record indicates there’s potential here for Rick Heller and Hawkeye pitching coach Sean McGrath to tap into.

Hogue shared his excitement to work alongside McGrath going forward.

“I love the way that Coach McGrath goes about developing players and takes an evidence-based approach. Can’t wait to be apart of it,” Hogue told Huesmann and Hawkeye Report.

Iowa’s pitching rotation is set to be headlined by junior right-handers Marcus Morgan and Brody Brecht. Morgan ended 2023 with a 5-2 record and a 3.72 ERA, while Brecht posted a 5-2 record and a 3.74 ERA. Brecht finished with 109 strikeouts.

Hogue told Huesmann of On3 that he’s ready to accept whatever role comes his way in Iowa City.

“The returning members of the pitching staff are very talented. I bring a lot of college baseball experience to the table, both as a starter and a reliever. I am willing to accept any role and contribute to the team in any way that I can,” Hogue said.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

[affiliatewidget_smgtolocal]

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Josh on Twitter: @JoshOnREF

5 Iowa Hawkeyes to play in Cape Cod Baseball League

The Cape Cod Baseball League will be littered with Iowa Hawkeyes this summer. Five Hawks will play in the Cape Cod League this summer.

The Iowa Hawkeyes look to be establishing a new pipeline.

Everyone knows the direct correlation between playing at the University of Iowa and playing in the NFL. Iowa football has made a name for itself for showing under-appreciated talent the way to the league with proper coaching and development. Offensive linemen and tight ends from Iowa are like the Toyotas of the football world. You usually are going to get a good, reliable product.

Other sports have established great cultures as well. Iowa historically has been THE school for creating the next generation of great American wrestlers. Meanwhile, basketball has seemingly always found a way to produce pro-level talent.

Good folks, do not forget about the Hawkeyes’ baseball program!

The University of Iowa had a fantastic season on the diamond. They tied the single-season record for wins with 44 while appearing in the Big Ten championship game. They also earned their second-ever regional final appearance in program history.

Hawkeye Report‘s Kyle Huesmann of On3 shared this awesome nugget about this golden generation of Iowa baseball players: the Hawkeyes will send an unprecedented five athletes to the Cape Cod Baseball League this summer. Brody Brecht, Marcus Morgan, Cade Obermueller, Sam Petersen, and Keaton Anthony will all play across the Cape Cod League this summer.

The Cape Cod Baseball League is a non-profit league where players from across the United States representing all NCAA college divisions are recruited to play in the 10-team league.

One of the premier collegiate summer leagues, the CCBL is the place to play if you are an aspiring Major League ballplayer. Just take a look at some of the big names boasted by the league via their official website.

There are annually over 350 active Cape Cod Baseball League Alumni playing in the major leagues and more than 1,600 all-time.  Current major leaguers who played in the Cape Cod Baseball League include: New York Yankee Aaron Judge (Brewster 2012), Boston Red Sox Chris Sale (Y-D 2009), Alek Manoah (Chatham 2018), Pete Alonso (Bourne 2015), Kyle Schwarber (Wareham 2012), Aaron Nola (Harwich 2012), Adley Rutschman (Falmouth 2017), Shane Bieber (Y-D 2015), Corbin Burnes (Orleans 2015), and Will Smith (Brewster 2015). – Cape Cod Baseball League.

That is just current MLB players as well. Take a walk down memory lane at their 26-page document featuring all the MLB alumni who got their start in the CCBL.

I got a big smile on my face seeing former Phillies World Series Champions Joe Blanton, Pat “The Bat” Burrell, and Chase “You are the Man” Utley listed. I also suppose featuring legendary names such as Carlton Fisk, Jeff Bagwell, and Nomar Garciaparra isn’t a bad look either.

These five Iowa ballplayers might just add their names to that list someday.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

[affiliatewidget_smgtolocal]

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Jacob on Twitter: @Jacobkeppen

Brody Brecht garners 2023 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team training camp invite

Iowa baseball star right-hander Brody Brecht earned a 2023 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team Training Camp invite.

From the black and gold to the red, white and blue. Iowa Hawkeyes righty Brody Brecht earned an invite to the 2023 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team training camp in Cary, N.C.

The USA Baseball Collegiate National Team training camp takes place in North Carolina from June 25-28 and will feature 56 of the premier non-draft eligible college players for a four-game Stars vs. Stripes intrasquad series.

All four of the training camp games will be played at the USA Baseball National Training Complex. Game one is at 2 p.m. CT on June 25, game two is at 5 p.m. on June 26, game three on June 27 at 6 p.m. and game four at 5 p.m. on June 28.

After the intrasquad series, USA Baseball will then name a final, 26-man Collegiate National Team roster. That final, 26-man roster will represent the United States in a friendship series against Chinese Taipei and Japan from June 30 through July 12.

The 6-foot-4, 205 pound righty ended his sophomore season with a 5-2 record, a 3.74 ERA and a batting average against of just .143. The right-hander posted four quality starts and fanned 109 batters over 77 innings. The Ankeny, Iowa native leads the nation in hits allowed per nine innings (4.32).

Brecht will return to Iowa baseball next season looking to help the Hawkeyes to their first back-to-back NCAA Tournament Regional appearances. He will also form a nice one-two punch at the start of Iowa’s starting pitching rotation alongside junior-to-be Marcus Morgan.

Iowa’s season ended in the regional championship against No. 14 overall seed and regional host Indiana State. The Hawkeyes tied the school record for wins in a season, posting a 44-16 overall mark.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

[affiliatewidget_smgtolocal]

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Josh on Twitter: @JoshOnREF

A look back at Iowa’s historic baseball season through some of the best pictures

Iowa tied a school record for most wins and put together one of the best years the program has seen. Here is a look at the year in pictures.

The Iowa Hawkeyes baseball team put together a year that will stand among some of the best in the program’s history. Tying the single-season record for wins with 44 while making an appearance in the Big Ten championship game and earning a spot in their second regional final appearance in program history doesn’t go unnoticed.

Finishing with an overall record of 44-16 and a Big Ten conference play record of 15-8, the Hawkeyes showed their strength all year. Highlighted by their pitchers setting the program record for strikeouts with 630 and their batters reaching base 431 times between walks or hit-by-pitch, the Hawkeyes play solid ball all around.

Although Iowa exited its regional at the hands of the Indiana State Sycamores, this season is not a failure. There is plenty to look back on and to be proud of. Here is a look at Iowa’s historic 2023 baseball season through some of the best pictures.

Social media reacts as record-setting Iowa baseball season ends with record-tying hit batters fest

Twitter reacted as a record-setting Iowa season closed with a dubious, record-tying performance from the Hawkeyes against Indiana State.

Maybe it was fitting in a sick, pull-your-hair out, demented kind of way. A record-tying baseball season for the Iowa Hawkeyes ended with a record-tying bit of dubious history.

First, the positives: Iowa advanced to the NCAA Tournament for just the sixth time in program history and for the third time under head coach Rick Heller. It’s also the first regional appearance for the Hawkeyes since 2017. After its thrilling, marathon win over North Carolina earlier today in 13 innings, Iowa tied its single-season record for wins with 44. The 1981 Hawkeye squad also accomplished that feat.

Now, the season’s final frustrations.

Iowa fell to No. 14 overall seed Indiana State in the Terre Haute Regional final, 11-8. Along the way, Hawkeye pitchers combined to tie the NCAA’s all-time, single- mark for hit batters. Iowa joined TCU against Baylor in March of 2012, Fordham against Saint Joseph’s in April of 2009 and Rice against Washington in May of 1998 as programs that have plunked 10 opposing hitters in a single game.

Knowing they entered the regional final taxed on arms, Iowa tried valiantly to muster up enough offense to get the Hawkeyes from Sunday night to a winner-take-all if-necessary game on Monday.

Iowa struck first with an RBI single from redshirt sophomore Raider Tello to bring home junior shortstop Michael Seegers in the first. Then, fifth-year  first baseman Brennen Dorighi tied it at three apiece in the third with a two-run blast.

Hawkeye fans understandably allowed themselves to hope about Iowa taking the long road back into the Super Regionals during the fourth inning. One of the heroes in Iowa’s extra innings win earlier today against North Carolina, freshman Blake Guerin delivered again.

He launched a two-run blast to put Iowa in front 5-4. Then, Seegers singled and junior catcher Cade Moss came home to score on a Sycamore throwing error. Suddenly, Iowa led by a pair of runs.

Alas, it wouldn’t last. Ultimately, 16 free bases from the Hawkeyes—10 hit batters and six walks—were just too much to overcome.

Indiana State scored two runs in the fifth, two more in the sixth and then a three-run homer from Keegan Watson officially put things out of reach.

With the season on the line, Hawkeye fans reacted as expected across social media. Some temporary joy and hope, but some serious, serious deflation as well.

Here’s some of the key Hawkeye highlights and the best from Iowa fans reacting on social media.