The Iowa Hawkeyes open the Big Ten baseball race this (Friday) afternoon, with the first of a three game series against Purdue. At number 18 Michigan is the only Big Ten team ranked in what Iowa coach Rick Heller calls a transition year for the league.

Heller says if there is an early surprise it may be Purdue. Like the Hawkeyes the Boilermakers take an 11-8 record into the start of conference play.

The first pitch is slated for 2:05-p.m.

(Learfield Sports)