Iowa slugger Jake Adams took an unusual path to the middle of the Hawkeye batting order. Adams was sophomore at a junior college last April when he was informed the school he signed with, North Dakota, was dropping the sport. He began looking for options and Iowa came through with an offer. It has paid off. Adams leads the Big Ten with nine homers and 31 RBI. He’s hitting .344 and his on-base percentage is .427.

Iowa coach Rick Heller says Adams has been a welcomed addition to the middle of the order.

Heller says power hitters like Adams are harder to find for college coaches these days.

Iowa hosts UNLV in a three game non-conference series this weekend. Rebels coach Stan Stolte is a native of Lowden, Iowa, and played baseball at St. Ambrose. You can hear the Iowa vs. UNLV game Saturday afternoon, on KJAN, beginning at 1:30.

(Learfield Sports)