Iowa Hawkeyes Face Pitching Challenges as New Season Begins

Inexperienced pitching staff leaves uncertainty as Hawkeyes open 2026 baseball campaign

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The University of Iowa baseball team is set to begin its 2026 season next weekend in Arizona, but the Hawkeyes will be relying on a very inexperienced pitching staff after losing 434 innings and 54 of 56 starts from last year's team to graduation and the professional ranks. Head coach Rick Heller acknowledges this is the first time in his 13-year tenure that the program has faced such a significant turnover on the mound.

Why it matters

Pitching is often cited as the most crucial element of baseball success, so Iowa's lack of experienced arms could pose a major challenge as the Hawkeyes look to build on last year's 33-22-1 campaign and return to the postseason after missing out in 2025.

The details

Iowa will turn to sophomore right-hander Tyler Guerin and graduate student Logan Runde, a transfer from Florida International, as its starting pitchers to open the season. The third starter for the team's first weekend is still uncertain. The rest of the Hawkeyes' pitching staff is largely made up of freshmen and redshirt freshmen, though coach Heller expressed confidence in their abilities.

  • The Hawkeyes open the 2026 season next weekend in suburban Phoenix, Arizona.
  • Iowa's home opener at Banks Field is tentatively scheduled for February 24 against Wartburg.

The players

Rick Heller

The head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes baseball team, now in his 13th season leading the program.

Tyler Guerin

A sophomore right-handed pitcher who will be one of Iowa's starting pitchers to open the 2026 season.

Logan Runde

A graduate student right-handed pitcher and transfer from Florida International who will also be in Iowa's starting rotation to begin the year.

Gable Mitchell

A senior infielder who is one of Iowa's leading returning hitters after batting .321 last season.

Caleb Wulf

A fellow infielder and one of Iowa's other top returning position players.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“These guys are great athletes. These guys have a lot of confidence coming from where they've played and they've pitched, and how you pitch pretty much all year around anymore. They all know their stuff. It's just a matter of fine tuning everything.”

— Wes Obermueller, Iowa Pitching Coach (thegazette.com)

“Next week hopefully everybody is ready to go. That'd be great. But if there are some nerves, from young guys especially, you just be there for them. Help them understand what it was like when I was going through it. Just help them finish the year.”

— Gable Mitchell, Iowa Infielder (thegazette.com)

“It's different being our senior year. But I think the standard stays the same. All we've got to do is go out and trust in our practice. Just be ourselves each and every day.”

— Caleb Wulf, Iowa Infielder (thegazette.com)

What’s next

The Hawkeyes will open their season next weekend in the MLB Desert Invitational in suburban Phoenix, facing Kansas State, Air Force, and Northeastern. The team's home opener at Banks Field is tentatively scheduled for February 24 against Wartburg.

The takeaway

Iowa's lack of experienced pitching presents a major challenge as the Hawkeyes look to build on last season and return to the postseason. However, the team's veteran position players remain optimistic that the young arms can step up, with the coaching staff expressing confidence in the staff's talent and potential.