The biggest challenge of the season awaits the Iowa Hawkeye baseball team as they get ready for Thursday’s start of a three game series against fifth ranked Oregon. With two wins the Hawkeyes will clinch at least a share of their first Big Ten regular season title since 1990. Junior shortstop Gable Mitchell is the leading hitter at .343 for a Hawkeye team that few expected to contend for a championship.

After winning eight consecutive series the Hawkeyes have dropped their last two against Washington and Oregon State. Mitchell says they will need to step it up against the Ducks.

The Hawkeyes are 10-2 in Big Ten play this season at Banks Field and hope for the home field remains an advantage this week.

Senior pitcher Ben DeTaeye says the Hawkeyes were confident a run like this could happen clear back to the start of fall practice.

DeTaeye pitched five hitless innings against 10th ranked Oregon State on Sunday in place of injured starter Reece Beuter. If Beuter can’t go this week, DeTaeye could get the ball in Saturday’s series finale.

That’s Iowa coach Rick Heller.