Hawkeye Baseball Defeats FAU in Game 1

Iowa wins 7-2 in series opener behind strong pitching and timely hitting

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The University of Iowa baseball team picked up their first Friday win of the season, defeating Florida Atlantic 7-2 at FAU Baseball Stadium. Sophomore Tyler Guerin earned his first win on the mound, pitching five innings while allowing just one run and four hits with two strikeouts. Senior Justin Hackett followed in relief, throwing three scoreless innings without allowing a hit and striking out four.

Why it matters

This early-season win against a tough FAU squad is an encouraging sign for the Hawkeyes as they look to build momentum and make a push for the postseason. Iowa's ability to get production from both their starting pitcher and relief corps is a positive development.

The details

Senior Gable Mitchell set the tone, launching a solo home run 364 feet to right field in the first at-bat of the game. Iowa continued to build momentum in the top of the third when senior Caleb Wulf singled up the middle, bringing home redshirt sophomore Max Burt and Mitchell from second base to give the Hawkeyes an early 3-0 lead. FAU got on the board with a run in the bottom of the fifth, but Iowa answered in the seventh with RBI singles from senior Kooper Schulte and redshirt junior Kellen Strohmeyer to extend the lead to 6-1. Mitchell tallied his third hit with a double to left center in the top of the eighth, scoring redshirt freshman Brett White from second base.

  • The game was played on Friday, February 20, 2026.
  • The Hawkeyes and FAU will face off again on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at 3 p.m. CT.

The players

Tyler Guerin

A sophomore pitcher for the University of Iowa who earned his first win of the season, pitching five innings and allowing just one run.

Justin Hackett

A senior relief pitcher for the University of Iowa who threw three scoreless innings without allowing a hit and striking out four batters.

Gable Mitchell

A senior outfielder for the University of Iowa who hit a solo home run in the first at-bat of the game and finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs.

Caleb Wulf

A senior infielder for the University of Iowa who had a key RBI single in the third inning to give the Hawkeyes an early 3-0 lead.

Kellen Strohmeyer

A redshirt junior infielder for the University of Iowa who had a two-run single in the seventh inning to extend the Hawkeyes' lead.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It was nice Friday night win. Tyler Guerin pitched great tonight going five innings and picking up his first win. Justin Hackett battled for us out of the pen going three innings, fanning four and didn't give up a hit. Joe Husak closed it out in the 9th.”

— Rick Heller, Head Coach (1630kcjj.com)

“The offense put pressure on them all day long. Gable Mitchell had a big night on offense and led the game off with a home run. Kooper Schulte and Caleb Wulf had good nights at the plate as well.”

— Rick Heller, Head Coach (1630kcjj.com)

“We had opportunities to blow it open in several innings but had some bad at bats after the table was set. Overall, I was happy with the way we played.”

— Rick Heller, Head Coach (1630kcjj.com)

What’s next

The Hawkeyes return to action Saturday at 3 p.m. (CT) to face Florida Atlantic in the second game of the series.

The takeaway

This early-season victory over a tough FAU squad demonstrates the Hawkeyes' ability to get quality pitching performances and timely hitting, which will be crucial as they look to build momentum and make a push for the postseason.