Iowa’s NCAA Tournament hopes were dealt a damaging blow in the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament. The Hawkeyes managed only two hits and struck out 15 times in a 5-2 loss to Penn State. The Hawks need a win in the losers bracket Friday morning to stay alive.

That’s Iowa coach Rick Heller. The Hawkeyes season may be on the line as well.

Heller expects the Hawkeyes to bounce back with a solid effort.

The Hawkeyes take on Purdue this (Friday) morning. The Boilermakers lost to second seeded Rutgers 10-3.