Nebraska Baseball at Iowa Preview

The Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-3) will take on the Iowa Hawkeyes (3-5) on the diamond this weekend. You read that right. After splitting a pair of games in Minneapolis last weekend, the two teams meet again in Iowa City at Duane Banks Field for an old school, pre-Covid style, 3 game series.

Nebraska won the first game against the Hawkeyes 4-0 behind a strong start by Chance Hroch, solo home run by Brice Matthews and 3 unearned runs due to a throwing error by starting pitcher Drew Irvine, who was handed the loss.

In the final game of the weekend, the Hawkeyes won 3-1 due to a three-run third inning against losing Husker pitcher Jake Bunz, and a dominating pitching performance by starter Duncan Davitt. They also had 3 shutout innings in relief by starting SS and closer Dylan Nedved, earning him the save.

A big difference in the play of both teams that we have seen thus far in the season, is their defense. Nebraska is actually leading the nation in fielding percentage currently.

Iowa, on the other hand, allowed 12 runs in the 34 innings they played in Minneapolis, with 9 of them being unearned. That did lead to their team ERA being a minuscule 0.79. (Although, what really grinds my gears is that errors on the pitcher aren't included in their ERA, but I digress.)

The Huskers will look to get its offense back on track after a rough final 17 innings in the Sunday double header to close out the weekend, while continuing its strong starting pitching and defense to date this season.

Friday, March 19th, 4pm CDT

Probable Starters: Cade Povich (1-0) vs. Trenton Wallace (1-0)

Saturday, March 20th, 2pm CDT

Probable Starters: Chance Hroch (2-0) vs. Drew Irvine (0-1)

Sunday, March 21st, 1pm CDT

Probable Starters: Shay Schanaman (1-0) vs. Duncan Davitt (1-0)

All games can be found streaming on BTN+, or on the radio with the Husker Sports Network.