With an RPI in the mid 60s the Iowa baseball team has some work to do to boost its NCAA at-large hopes heading into tonight’s (Friday night’s) start of a Big Ten series at Michigan State. The Hawkeyes are tied for third in the league race with a record of 12-6 and coming off the end of exam week.

That’s Iowa coach Rick Heller who says it is a similar situation to last year’s trip to East Lansing.

With two weeks remaining the Hawkeyes are just a game behind Big Ten leading Rutgers in the loss column.

Heller says the Hawkeyes still have a chance to play their way into the NCAA field.

Michigan State is 6-12 in the Big Ten.