24-05-2025
Big Ten alters start time for Iowa baseball semifinal vs. UCLA
Big Ten alters start time for Iowa baseball semifinal vs. UCLA
As No. 3 seed Iowa baseball (33-21-1, 21-9 Big Ten) prepares for its Big Ten Tournament semifinal vs. No. 2 seed and No. 13-ranked UCLA (41-15, 22-8), the Hawkeyes and Bruins will both take the field earlier than expected today due to Friday's inclement weather in Omaha, Neb., creating a schuduling delema.
After a prolonged rain delay that eventually resulted in a postponement of Friday night's Pool A clinching matchup between No. 1 seed Oregon (42-13, 22-8) and No. 8 seed Nebraska (29-27, 15-15) from Charles Schwab Field, the Big Ten reshuffled the Saturday schedule so that the Ducks and Cornhuskers begin today at 9 a.m. CT.
The conference announced late Friday night that it had swapped the two semifinal game times to provide adequate rest for the winner of Pool A prior to its semifinal clash vs. No. 9 seed Penn State (33-22, 15-15).
Due to the shifted schedule, Iowa and UCLA will now play at 1 p.m. CT, and the other semifinal will begin at approximately 5 p.m. CT. Both games will still be broadcast on the Big Ten Network alongside play-by-play voice Connor Onion and color analyst Scott Pose.
While the earlier time only shortens both programs' preparation window, the Hawkeyes' "must-win" mentality against the Bruins remains the same.
While UCLA's current RPI ranking essentially guarantees them at least an at-large bid in this year's NCAA Tournament regardless of today's outcome, the only way the Hawkeyes can secure a ticket to the NCAAs is by claiming the Big Ten Tournament crown and the conference's automatic bid.
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