Iowa Hawkeyes Defeated Madison College in Exhibition
The Iowa Hawkeyes overcame an early deficit to secure a 12-5 win over Madison College in 14 innings.
Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Baseball
The Iowa Hawkeyes baseball team defeated Madison College 12-5 in a fall exhibition game held in Cedar Rapids. Despite falling behind 5-0 early, the Hawkeyes rallied behind a dominant pitching performance.
Why it matters
The exhibition provided critical game-time experience for Iowa's roster as they prepare for the upcoming season. Strong pitching performances and consistent hitting are key indicators for the team as they look toward future challenges.
The Iowa pitching staff held Madison College scoreless for 11 consecutive innings while recording 19 strikeouts. Offensively, the Hawkeyes tallied 14 total hits during the 14-inning exhibition.
The players
Iowa Hawkeyes
The Iowa Hawkeyes represent the University of Iowa athletics program in Big Ten Conference competition.
Madison College
Madison College is a community college located in Wisconsin that maintains a collegiate baseball program.
Nathan Hopkins
Nathan Hopkins is a baseball player for the Iowa Hawkeyes who hit a solo home run during the exhibition.
Jaylen Ziegler
Jaylen Ziegler is a baseball player for the Iowa Hawkeyes who recorded three hits in the game.
The details
After trailing 5-0 through the first three innings, Iowa shut down the Madison offense while Nathan Hopkins launched a solo home run in the 7th inning. Jaylen Ziegler contributed to the comeback effort by recording three hits for the Hawkeyes.
Timeline
September 18, 2026: The Iowa Hawkeyes played Madison College at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
September 25-27, 2026: The Hawkeyes are scheduled to travel to Columbia to play the Missouri Tigers.
February 2027: The team is working toward their seasonal readiness deadline.
Season Trajectory
This exhibition win follows a pattern set by the Big Ten Conference baseball development cycle of using fall exhibition play to evaluate talent. The performance serves as an early gauge of roster depth as the program prepares for more rigorous spring competition.
The 11-inning scoreless streak demonstrates significant depth within the Hawkeyes pitching staff heading into the series against Missouri. The 14-hit offensive output highlights the effectiveness of current batting drills and individual player progression.
The takeaway
The Hawkeyes utilized a 14-inning format to maximize player evaluation across their pitching staff and lineup. This approach allows the coaching staff to identify key contributors before the official spring season begins.
Further reading
For more on the current team status, visit the Baseball section.
