Iowa baseball powered by pitching

IOWA CITY — Iowa baseball’s arms are shouldering the load.

Not only have the Hawkeyes’ pitchers ascended to the top of the Big Ten statistically, they have positioned the team for a postseason appearance, while remaining in contention for a regular season title.

The Hawkeyes are in fourth place and less than three games back of the conference lead entering the weekend’s three-game series against Purdue at Duane Banks Field. Iowa will look to win its fourth straight series, beginning Friday at 4:05 p.m.

The Hawkeyes (26-15, 10-5) pitching staff leads the Big Ten with a 3.46 team earned-run average, 480 strikeouts and fewest hits allowed (.260), holding opponents to a .198 batting average.

Not bad considering Iowa has had to navigate and overcome injuries. The rotation led by Adam Mazur and bullpen anchored by Dylan Nedved has taken shape in the last month.

“I like our shot,” head coach Rick Heller said about the pitching staff starting to settle into their roles during the Minnesota series. “I like how things are setting up for us down the stretch.”

Mazur has assumed the ace role and is expected to start in Game 1. He is 5-2 this season with a team high 79 strikeouts in 71 innings. Mazur is coming off a gem against Nebraska where he threw a complete-game, two-hit shutout.

“Adam was the story, he was lights out, in total command,” Heller said after the performance. “You don’t see many 1-0 complete game, two-hit shutouts in college baseball anymore. It was a special performance by Adam.”

Mazur has a team-high seven quality starts, including four straight. He is 3-0 with a 0.87 ERA with 37 strikeouts and just four walks over that stretch.

Against the Cornhuskers, Mazur struck out six and allowed a total of five baserunners. He tossed 102, including 73 for strikes, for Iowa’s first complete-game shutout since 2016.

“(Pitching coach) Robin (Lund) came over and he told me I was at this many pitches (after the eighth) and I was like, ‘I am going out for the ninth,’” Mazur said. “(Robin) told me to stay locked in, lock back in and go fill the zone and keep throwing strikes.

“It was nice to gain a little more trust and keep stacking good starts and go out and give my team the best chance to win.”

Connor Schultz has moved back to his starting spot on Saturday, going 1-1 since his return. Ty Langenberg has been solid as the No. 3 starter, going 4-1 with a 3.45 ERA. Despite a no-decision, Langenberg held Nebraska to three hits and one unearned run with six strikeouts. Iowa won in extra innings.

“It was great see Ty look like himself,” Heller said, “he logged some quality innings.”

Heller has witnessed some good performances from other pitchers, noting the recent contributions of Cam Baumann, Jared Simpson, Chas Wheatley and freshman two-sport fireballer Brody Brecht, who has hit 100 miles per hour on the radar gun.

The Hawkeyes need more execution at the plate, especially from the bottom of the lineup, according to Heller. Peyton Williams and Keaton Anthony have led the offense, but more balanced production is needed.

“Those are all real positive signs,” Heller said. “We’ll get things figured out on offense.”

Iowa suffered a disappointing 3-2 non-conference loss to Illinois State at home Tuesday. Iowa closes the conference with series against the Boilermakers (25-14, 6-7), on the road at Michigan State and the home finale against Indiana.

The Hawkeyes have been projected as one of the 64 teams in the national tournament, but they will help their cause with a high regular-season finish and strong showing at the Big Ten tournament.

“We just have to take care of business,” Heller said. “Do our best to stay as high in the league. We still have a chance for an outright championship and do our job to get in the tournament. Hopefully, we make some hay in the tournament. That’s really all we can do.”