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.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — St. Louis Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak says he’s “hopeful” to have a new contract for Yadier Molina before opening day but says a deal is “not done.” Molina homered Thursday night in a game against St. Louis’ top minor league affiliate while reports surfaced that he’s nearing a new contract. Fox Sports reported during the game that Molina and the Cardinals are finalizing a three-year deal worth between $55 million and $65 million.
Mozeliak said after the game that a deal is not yet complete, but “we’re optimistic.” Molina has said he wants a contract finalized before the season opens Sunday night. He said “nothing’s done” after the game but expressed optimism. He says “it’s my main goal to stay here.” The Cardinals beat the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds 9-3.
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) – Northern Iowa coach Ben Jacobson has been given a two-year contract extension that will keep him with the Panthers through 2027. Jacobson just completed his 11th season at Northern Iowa. He has a school-record 234 wins and has led Northern Iowa to eight consecutive top-four finishes in the Missouri Valley Conference.
Jacobson is already sixth in career wins in the MVC and is a three-time league coach of the year. Athletic director David Harris says that while the Panthers struggled in 2016-17, he has great optimism in the program’s future under Jacobson. Financial terms of the extension weren’t disclosed.
Iowa State defensive end J.D. Waggoner says what the Cyclone defense lacks in experience it makes up for in talent a depth. Eight players with starting experience are gone from last year’s defense, including three on the defensive line.
Waggoner started the first seven games before suffering a season ending shoulder injury against Baylor. He has returned to practice but will not be involved in full contact this spring.
Waggoner says an influx of talented, young players will create more competition for playing time.
Developing talent on the defensive line has never been a problem for the Iowa football program but developing depth has been. The Hawkeyes must replace defensive tackles Jaleel Johnson and Faith Ekakite off last year’s team that finished 8-5.
That’s Iowa defensive line coach Reese Morgan who says while Iowa won’t change its 4-3 alignment on defense that may have to get more creative with their calls.
Morgan says a veteran offensive line will help the defensive front make progress during spring drills.
One option is moving defensive end Matt Nelson to tackle. The Cedar Rapids native was working at both spots before suffering a foot injury. Morgan feels he will be effective inside despite his six foot-eight inch frame.