Latest news with #RickHeller
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Iowa baseball pitcher Daniel Wright chosen by White Sox in MLB Draft
With the 2025 MLB draft entering its second day from Atlanta, Ga., Iowa baseball pitcher Daniel Wright became the second Hawkeye selected this year as the Chicago White Sox called his name in the 10th round. Watts, who joined Iowa as a graduate student through the transfer portal before the 2024-25 campaign after spending two years at Houston, one year at Iowa Western Community College, and one year at Wisconsin (where he was a walk-on to play football). Advertisement Despite being a starter with Houston in the 2023-24 campaign, Wright was primarily used as a relief pitcher out of the Hawkeyes' bullpen this past spring. The White Sox, who also have former Hawkeye pitcher Jack Young within the organization, utilized the No. 266 overall selection in the draft to select the native of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa. During his lone season with the Hawkeyes, Wright finished with a 2-2 record and a 3.41 ERA in 29 innings pitched through 18 appearances, including two starts. The 6-foot-9, 245-pound right-handed reliever recorded 20 strikeouts and tied a career-low 13 base-on-balls while allowing 29 hits. Advertisement Write becomes the ninth Hawkeye selected by the Chicago White Sox organization all-time and the 35th overall draft selection under head coach Rick Heller's tenure in Iowa City. Given his position in the draft, the approximate pick value estimated by is listed at $190,300. While it is unknown whether the organization plans to use Wright as a starter or reliever, the 10th-round selection bookends a hard-working college baseball career. Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa baseball pitcher Daniel Wright chosen by White Sox in MLB Draft
USA Today
18-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Fans react to Iowa baseball's lopsided Game 3 loss vs. Oregon
Fans react to Iowa baseball's lopsided Game 3 loss vs. Oregon Following Iowa baseball's (32-20-1, 21-9 Big Ten) disappointing 13-4 beatdown vs. No. 7 Oregon (41-13, 22-8 Big Ten) in Saturday's Game 3 from Duane Banks Field, which culminated in an outright Big Ten regular-season title for the Ducks, fans showcased their displeasure with the program's late-season skid on social media throughout the game. One fan even suggested that the baseball team be added to a list of athletic programs that the Iowa Athletic Department should monitor for resource use and efficiency. Another fan simply called the Game 3 loss, three-game sweep, and subsequent squandered Big Ten regular-season title as the "Rick Heller masterclass," referencing to the now second-consecutive regular-season collapse spearheaded the Hawkeyes head coach. As usual, Nebraska fans flooded the comments to mock the Hawkeyes' loss, although the Cornhuskers themselves had a thoroughly frustrating season that ended with a 28-27 overall record, 15-15 conference record, a series loss against Iowa, and the No. 8 seed in the Big Ten Tournament. Iowa State fans joined in on the action to taunt the Hawkeyes, even though the Cyclones have not had an NCAA-recognized program since 2001, when the team was terminated due to athletic budget cuts. Iowa actually leads the all-time series against the now-defunct Cyclones program by a 48-30 margin. One Oregon fan extended their hope in the Hawkeyes heading into the Big Ten Tournament by admitting that Oregon is a hot team and that the series' timing in the Big Ten calendar favored the Ducks. Iowa's next game will be Wednesday, May 21, when the Hawkeyes begin their Big Ten Tourmament quest vs. No. 10-seed Rutgers at 6 p.m. CT from Charles Schwab Field. The entire tournament will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network. All of Iowa's games can also be heard through the Hawkeyes Radio Network alongside play-by-play voice John Leo and color analyst John Evans. Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews
USA Today
14-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Iowa baseball unable to complete sweep vs. Nebraska, drops series finale
Iowa baseball unable to complete sweep vs. Nebraska, drops series finale After claiming their sixth conference series of the season with a come-from-behind 11-6 win on Saturday, Iowa baseball (23-11, 14-4 Big Ten) was unable to complete the series sweep vs. Nebraska (16-20, 5-10) as the Cornhuskers would prevail 6-4 in Game 3 from Daune Bank Field on Sunday afternoon. While the Hawkeyes finished with a slight 8-7 advantage in hits, the Cornhuskers were able to do more damage with their opportunities. Not helping Iowa was the fact that the Hawkeyes left 11 base-runners stranded throughout the game. "We had a few opportunities and just had poor execution," said head coach Rick Heller. "The one inning where they tried to give it to us with the errors -- that was the one where we needed to break it open. With runners in scoring positon, you get two strikeouts, and we only end up getting one run that inning. I guess that's the biggest story is that we only had a couple oppurtunites, but we didn't put a crooked number up there, and that's what we've been doing. Today it just didn't happen." Redshirt senior right-hander Reece Beuter (4-0, 4.35 ERA) started on the hill for the Hawkeyes, giving up three runs on three hits and striking out seven Huskers through five innings. Ben DeTaeye (0-3, 4.42 ERA) came out of the bullpen in the sixth in replacement of Bueter, where he surrendered just one hit and punched out three in two innings of work. Daniel Wright (1-1, 4.02 ERA) then took the mound in the eighth, giving up three runs (two earned) on two hits with one strikeout in 1 1/3 innings. Wright would be tagged with the loss as a result. In the top of the ninth, Anthony Watts (2-2, 4.15 ERA) was brought on to extinguish the Nebraska half, which he did so while surrendering just one hit in 2/3 innings of action. Regarding the offense, Iowa opened the scoring in the second inning when Jackson Beaman hit an RBI double down the left-field line to score Kooper Schulte. Nebraska tied the game in the third with a solo home run and then took a 3-1 lead in the fourth with two more solo shots. Iowa answered right back in the bottom half of the fourth by capitalizing on a couple of Cornhusker errors and a Gable Mitchell RBI SAC fly to knot the game at three apiece. The Hawkeyes would take a 4-3 lead in the seventh frame when Daniel Rogers hit an RBI double into the left-field corner, bringing home Reese Moore from second base. Unfortunately, Nebraska would regain a 5-4 lead in the eighth off two Hawkeye errors and tack on an insurance run on an RBI single in the ninth. "On the positive side, I thought Reece Beuter gave us a good start," said Heller. "The three solo home runs, with the way the wind was blowing early, it felt like we would give up a home run or two during the day. But that was fine because I felt like we would eventually score some runs, and why wouldn't you with the way we've been going offensively." Up next for Iowa will be a single-game matchup vs. Bradley (5-26, 1-11 Missouri Valley) at Duane Banks Field on Wednesday, April 16. The Hawkeyes previously defeated the Braves by a 13-3 score from Dozer Park in Peoria, Ill., when the two met on April 1. The first pitch for Wednesday's game is set for 6:02 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on Big Ten Plus (subscription required). As always, fans can listen to the action alongside play-by-play voice John Leo and color analyst John Evans on the Hawkeyes Radio Network. We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn't influence our coverage. Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews
USA Today
09-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Iowa baseball wins midweek matchup vs UW-Milwaukee
Iowa baseball wins midweek matchup vs UW-Milwaukee In a midweek matchup vs. UW-Milwaukee (9-21, 7-4 Horizon League), Iowa baseball (21-10, 12-3 Big Ten) continued their torrid pace on Tuesday evening with an 11-6 win over the Panthers from Duane Banks Field. "It was good to get to play today," said head coach Rick Heller. "I was a little worried over the weekend when I saw the forecast in Milwaukee. We were fortunate that Shaun and their staff agreed it was the right thing to do to come down." Freshman right-hander Jaron Bleeker (2-0, 4.32 ERA) started on the mound for the Hawkeyes, where he walked two batters and gave up one hit in two innings of work. Bleeker escaped a bases-loaded jam with a double play in the first inning and before retiring Milwaukee in order in the second frame. Senior righty Chas Wheatley (2-0, 2.00 ERA) was credited with the win as he struck out two Panthers and walked one in his lone inning of action. "If I'm in that bullpen, I'm thinking there's some spots to be had, and I'm going to jump up and grab it," said Heller. "That's what you're hoping for in these midweek games is that if you're not getting the innings you want or your role isn't what you expect or like or whatever, here's an opportunity to say, 'Give me a shot." Seven other Iowa pitchers took the hill throughout the game. Junior righty Justin Hackett (0-0, 0.00 ERA) struck out the side in his lone inning of work. Junior righty Anthony Watts (2-2, 4.63 ERA) did the same in the ninth to clinch the victory for the Hawkeyes. "It was really a tale of two games in one," said Heller. "The first five innings I thought were outstanding. The last four really weren't. We made some mistakes and didn't pitch great at times. I was hoping we didn't have to use Watts, but we got to a point where we had to." The Hawkeye pitching staff combined for 12 strikeouts, gave up six free bases and allowed three earned runs on the day. An RBI SAC fly from Miles Risley put Iowa on the board in the first. The Hawkeyes scored three more in the third frame on a Risley RBI double down the left field line, a Tyler Guerin RBI fielder's choice and a wild pitch. Iowa added to its lead in the next inning when Reese Moore hit an RBI double to the right field wall. The Hawkeyes poured on four more in the fifth as Blake Guerin clobbered a solo homer run to dead center field for his seventh home run of the season. That's gone 👋@GuerinBlake leads us off with his seventh HR of the season! B5 | Iowa 6, Milwaukee 0#Hawkeyes — Iowa Baseball (@UIBaseball) April 8, 2025 Kellen Strohymer then scorched his second career home run off a line-drive three-run bomb that hit the scoreboard in left field to increase the Hawkeyes lead to 9-0. Stroh goes oppo to the scoreboard 💥 B5 | Iowa 9, Milwaukee 0#Hawkeyes — Iowa Baseball (@UIBaseball) April 8, 2025 Two more Hawkeyes came home in the seventh when Daniel Rogers hit an RBI SAC fly, and Andy Nelson slapped an RBI single. Gable Mitchell, Kooper Schulte, Strohmeyer, and Moore all had multi-hit games, led by Strohmeyer with three. Mitchell went 2-for-4 with a double, a walk, and three runs scored. Schulte went 2-for-5 with two runs scored. "There were really some bright spots today," said Heller. "Strohmeyer had a great game. There's guys on the team that have been caught in between not being able to go because this guy is playing well or this guy is playing well. Strohmeyer has played well all the times he's been out there, he just hasn't been out there a lot. It felt like today was the day to give him the chance to play the whole game and get out there and go, and I'm glad we made that decision." Up next for the Hawkeyes will be a three-game Big Ten series vs. Nebraska (14-18, 4-8) from Duane Banks Field, running from April 11-13. Assuming the weather does not impact the scheduling, the Friday series opener will start at 6:02 p.m. CT and also broadcast on Big Ten Plus (subscription required). Game 2 of the series, scheduled for Saturday at 2:02 p.m. CT, will also air on Big Ten Plus. The series finale, scheduled for Sunday at 1:02 p.m. CT, will air on the Big Ten Network (BTN). Watch Iowa vs. Nebraska (Game 2) As always, fans can listen to the action alongside play-by-play voice John Leo and color analyst John Evans on the Hawkeyes Radio Network. We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn't influence our coverage. Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews
USA Today
15-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Iowa baseball splits doubleheader opening three-game Big Ten series vs. Michigan State
Iowa baseball splits doubleheader opening three-game Big Ten series vs. Michigan State After an 11-inning 12-8 loss in Game 1 of a three-game series vs. Michigan State (13-5, 1-1 Big Ten) from Duane Banks Field, Iowa baseball (9-8, 3-2) responded with a 7-3 victory over the Spartans in the nightcap of a doubleheader on Friday. 'We just got beat in game one,' said head coach Rick Heller. 'They had 18 hits. We fought hard. That's one where you fight back like you did, and you get an incredible pinch-hit home run to tie it. You have to find a way to win that game.' On a rare day when the wind was blowing out at Duane Banks Field, both teams combined for eight home runs in game one and 10 home runs overall. Cade Obermuller (0-2, 4.23 ERA) got the start for the Hawkeyes in game one, where he threw 5 2/3 innings, allowing five runs on nine hits while striking out six. Daniel Wright (0-0, 3.24 ERA) would take over for Obermueller in the fifth and allowed three runs on three hits in 1 1/3 innings of work. Sam Hart (0-0, 3.00 ERA) threw two scoreless innings, and Anthony Watts (2-1, 6.92 ERA) manned the final two innings and allowed four runs as he was tagged with the loss. Daniel Rogers hit 3-for-5 on the day with a home run and three RBIs, and Reese Moore also tallied three RBIs and a home run with a 2-for-4 performance. Blake Guerin also added a home run for the Hawkeyes. In the nightcap of the doubleheader against the Spartans, Aaron Savary (4-0, 1.86 ERA) registered another quality start, improving to a 4-0 record on the season. The junior right-hander threw 7 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on six hits while striking out four. Chas Wheatley (1-0, 2.08 ERA) threw 1/3 of an inning, and Ben DeTaeye (0-2, 7.27 ERA) closed out the game throwing 1 1/3, allowing one hit as he earned his first save of the season. Ben Wilmes and Jackson Beaman were both 2-for-4. Jaixen Frost hit the first home run of his career on a monstrous fifth-inning 447-foot three-run blast to left-center field. Gabe Mitchell, Miles Risley, and Daniel Rogers also each plated a run for Iowa. 'I think all of us were wondering what was going to happen in game two,' said Heller. 'With a quick turnaround when a team gets a win like that on the road a lot of times, they just keep it rolling. That is why it was so important that Savary came out just absolutely delt. We probably left him in a hit or two too long but he pitched fantastic.' Iowa will look to close out the three-game series vs. Michigan State on Saturday with Reece Bueter (2-0, 4.35 ERA) scheduled to start in the "rubber match". The game will start at 1 p.m. CT from Duane Banks Field and will be available on streaming through Big Ten Plus (Subscription Required) and on-air via the Hawkeye Radio Network. Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews
