More fun, love of the game yields more success for Iowa baseball’s pitcher Reece Beuter

IOWA CITY – Reece Beuter changed his perspective and improved his performance.

The new approach has helped him transition from struggling reliever in his first season with University of Iowa to an unbeaten Sunday starter.

“I was just kind of coming in this year, trying to have fun,” Beuter said. “This summer helped me out a lot. Just kind of relaxing and getting back to the game I loved. Just pitching. No outside stress, nothing like that. It's been good.”

Less pressure and more production has been better than good. Beuter pitched six shutout innings against Indiana Sunday and improved his record to 5-0 this year. He has become a reliable arm in the rotation for the Big Ten Conference baseball leaders.

“Reece is an awesome kid,” Iowa Coach Rick Heller said. “He’s a great teammate, all the intangibles that you could ask for in a player – works really hard, does everything the right way – and when you do that you deserve to be successful. That's what I just kept telling him all year. Just believe in yourself and your stuff is really good.

“Having the year that he had last year, I think anyone it would have taken a little bit of time to get your total confidence back. He's definitely there.”

Beuter, a former two-time all-stater at Dike-New Hartford, said he has always had faith in his physical skills. He has had trouble with the mental part of the game. Beuter admitted he placed too much pressure on himself and worried about other people’s opinions. He was consumed with what he had to do when he stepped on the mound instead of simply playing.

“I learned this summer that it's just a game,” Beuter said. “You're supposed to have fun. It's not supposed to be this big stress fest whenever you go out and throw.

“In 10 years, I'm not going to remember the game that I threw. I'm going to remember the guys in the dugout, having fun with them. That's the biggest thing that I've embraced this year.”

Beuter, who started his career at Kirkwood and continued his career at Dallas Baptist University, transferred to Iowa for 2023-24 season. The results were rough, going 1-3 with a 12.54 earned-run average and allowing more hits and runs than the 18 2/3 innings pitched in 16 appearances.

His numbers are very different from a year ago. Beuter surrendered three hits and struck out seven, dropping his ERA to 3.54. This comes after giving up one run on three hits through six innings in a no decision against Michigan on April 20. Beuter struck out seven and allowed three hits in a no-decision against Nebraska two weekends ago.

Beuter credits work with Iowa assistant and pitching coach Sean Kenny. They worked on his changeup during bullpen sessions, which has expanded his repertoire.

“That's been a big thing for me the last few weeks,” said Beuter, who has struck out 58 in 53 1/3 innings. “Getting off the slider a little bit (and) a little more soft besides the slider. So, that's been a big thing getting to lefties, making sure that's working.

“It’s a true three- or four-pitch mix with the four-seam (fastball) and sinker. too.”

Beuter was quick to praise his defense and offense. They have provided him with some run support. Iowa shortstop Gable Mitchell and second baseman Ben Swails turned double plays after Indiana put the leadoff batter on base in consecutive innings.

“It's probably one of the best feelings as a pitcher when the lead leadoff guy gets on and then get a groundball. You look behind you and it’s Swails and Gable turning a double play,” Beuter said. “It allows me to relax and be like, ‘All right, just need one more out now.’ It frees me up and saves the pitch count a lot. It’s awesome.”

Heller has noticed the change and Beuter performance against Indiana was a microcosm of the Hawkeyes overall weekend.

“I’ve seen it for sure,” Heller said about Beuter’s change of mentality. “That is really what (Sunday) was all about.

“Our entire team, when we focus on the process, put the ego in the back and just focus on ways to help the team win – be it defense, throwing strikes, pitching, not giving up free bases and then offensively being tough outs one through nine – not worrying about who gets the credit we're pretty good. I mean, we're a really good team.”

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