The Iowa Cubs announced on Thursday plans to open the 2010 season with an exhibition game against the Iowa baseball team at Principal Park, in Des Moines, on April 7, 2010, at 6:35 p.m.

The Triple-A Chicago Cubs affiliate team and the Hawkeyes are slated for a seven-inning matchup the night before the I-Cubs open the 2010 Pacific Coast League season at home against the Nashville Sounds.

Since 2004, the Hawkeyes have played exhibition contests against the Iowa Cubs every two years.

The last time Iowa played the minor league squad, the Hawkeyes fell, 3-1, managing just four hits.

“We are excited about the opportunity to play the Iowa Cubs again,” Iowa head coach Jack Dahm said in a statement. “This will be extra special with Hall-of-Famer Ryne Sandberg managing. We appreciate the relationship we have with the Iowa Cubs and everything that they’ve done for us.”

General-admission tickets will be $7 for adults and $4 for children. Reserved grandstand and field box seats are $10 and $12, respectively.

I-Cub season-ticket holders will receive a admission to the game with the their ticket packages.

— by Ryan Young