:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55083833/cropley.0.jpg)
It’s day three of the Houston NCAA Baseball Regional. After a great 6-3 win over the region’s No. 1 seed on Friday night, the Hawkeyes couldn’t keep the momentum going last night against No. 3 seed Texas A&M, who some analysts picked to win the entire tournament before it started. Essentially, the game came down to pitching: A&M’s Corbin Martin dealt seven innings and nine strikeouts, and the Hawkeye offense couldn’t produce. Jake Adams however did vault himself into the top spot for home runs on the season last night with his 28th. This team will be remembered for more than Adams’ offensive output, but the junior deserves all the praise in the world for the season he’s had.
Fear not about the loss: since it’s a double elimination tournament, the Hawkeyes have another shot at redemption today, in a rematch against the Cougars. After losing to the Hawks, the Cougars went on to break multiple postseason team records in a 17(!)-3 obliteration of Baylor. Every Houston player got a hit AND scored a run. That’s seriously incredible. Powerful hitting like that is one of the reasons Houston is the region’s No. 1 seed, and if it continues today, Iowa could have difficulty keeping up.
The Hawkeyes will be the home team today, which, according to the Press Citizen’s Dargan Southard is determined weirdly by how many times a team has been a home or road team throughout the tournament.
It has to do with how many times a team has been home/road in the tournament. Kinda confusing I know. https://t.co/LuP1G5ao85
— Dargan Southard (@Dargan_Southard) June 4, 2017
Here’s Southard on the pitching situation, as well:
RH said either Elijah Wood or Drake Robison will start vs. Houston tmrw. Said he knows it'll likely be a piece-it-together game. #Hawkeyes
— Dargan Southard (@Dargan_Southard) June 4, 2017
To advance to the Super Regional, Iowa will need to win three games between today and tomorrow. If the Hawks do manage to conquer the Cougars, they’ll play again this evening against Texas A&M, and then again tomorrow in the potential rubber match.
My Iowa Baseball fandom has only existed for about half of this season, but regardless I’m not ready to see this end. Judging by how active everyone has been here and on social media, I think you’re all feeling the same way, so let’s hope for the best.
Broadcast Info
Opponent: Houston Cougars
Game time: 3:00 p.m. CT // Sunday, June 4, 2017
Location: Schroeder Park // Houston, TX
TV: ESPN2
Online: WatchESPN
Mobile: WatchESPN App
Radio: Hawkeye Radio Network, Hawkeye All-Access ($$)