Iowa’s second midweek game of the year may not have boasted as much offensive power as its first contest one week prior, but Tuesday’s game against Wartburg marked a big defensive outing for many young pitchers.
The Hawkeyes utilized seven pitchers on 27 batters in seven innings to claim their first shutout of the season. Iowa’s last shutout came on May 4, 2025, against Washington, and its first mid-week shutout since April 25, 2023, against Upper Iowa.
“The pitchers today did a really nice job,” head coach Rick Heller said. “I see these young guys get more and more confident each time they go out to the mound.”
Getting the nod to start Tuesday afternoon was young first-year Brady Ferguson. The Omaha, Nebraska, native had only pitched two innings against 11 batters back against Northeastern at the MLB Desert Invitational at the start of the year.
On Tuesday, Ferguson gave up only two hits off eight batters, striking out three and holding the Knights scoreless through the top of the third inning.
“I think he handled the start really well for a freshman, just went out there and pounded the zone,” Heller said.
Fellow first-year Carter Wilcox followed in relief for his first outing since the Northeastern game. Tuesday’s game was a well-deserved reset as he went two full innings, striking out four of his seven batters faced.
Iowa lost the majority of its bullpen at the end of last season, and with 12 new freshmen added to the lineup, it is these mid-week games, including the limited fall ball, that help coach Heller and others on the coaching staff better evaluate their overall bullpen strength.
“The more times they get out there helps us figure out what role will be best for them moving forward, but just really happy with how the bullpen has improved since game one against Kansas State in Arizona,” Heller said.
In addition to Ferguson and Wilcox, Tuesday’s shutout sported a handful of right and left-handed pitchers who have made various appearances this season, including last week’s midweek game against UW-Platteville.
Pitchers like first-year Cole Moore and Tate Slagle made valuable improvements in their short mound appearances Tuesday, adjustments coach Heller has taken notice of and mentioned following the game.
“Cole Moore had some really good stuff tonight, with being up to 94 [miles per hour], and his slider was good too,” Heller said. “Then Tate Slagle even though he only went one hitter, that is what we are hoping to see out of him, to just come out hard and throw sliders to get us out of jams, possibly.”
Also helping on the powerful defensive outing on Tuesday was the tag team of catchers, redshirt sophomore Max Burt and graduate student Matthew Delgado, who have witnessed the growth in confidence in the young freshmen pitchers.
“I think a lot of it comes from how they prepare and the mindset they have,” Burt said. “They don’t take a lot of off days and are constantly trying to get better; that way, when their number gets called, they can pound the zone and play free and fun.”
Tuesday’s mid-week shutout win was a nice reset for the Hawkeye program after losing the third game of their three-game series against Florida Atlantic on Feb. 22. The victory sets the tone for the upcoming Frisco College Baseball Classic series on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
The strong pitching by these young freshmen in Tuesday’s victory will hopefully inspire some positivity throughout the bullpen for the rest of the season and the upcoming series.
“Both the freshman and the veteran pitchers build off each other, and to have guys on both ends going out there and dominating really helps show everyone that the roster is strong,” Burt said. “It’s great knowing whoever goes out there is going to do their very best to get outs and win games.”