This Saturday and Sunday, the ISU Club Baseball team is traveling to Cedar Falls, Iowa, for a four game series against in-state rival Northern Iowa.

Last weekend, the Cyclones (4-4, 3-3 Mid-America North) lost two out of three conference games against Iowa and lost their only non-conference game against them.

Their only win came against the Hawkeyes came behind the arm of freshman Dillan Dwyer, who threw a no-hitter. Dwyer was recently named the National Club Baseball Association pitcher of the week.

“I didn’t expect anything less,” said Club President Aaron Hinnah. “The only way that he wasn’t going to get it is if somehow, some way, some kid at another school threw a perfect game.”

Last weekend the Panthers (4-4, 2-4 Mid-America North) lost all three conference games against South Dakota and lost their only non-conference game against them.

The three conference games were relatively close with scores of 13-12, 7-5 and 7-6. They were blown out in their non-conference game 11-1.

The Cyclones have already taken three out of four games this season against South Dakota, which is currently second in Mid-America Conference North behind Iowa.

“That doesn’t tell me that we’re guaranteed a win, but it tells me that if we play like we can, we should be able to get three conference wins, if not four out of four,” Hinnah said.

The Cyclones have had more success on the road (3-1) so far this season than at home (1-3). Hinnah said on the road there are fewer distractions from friends and family.

Hinnah and pitcher Benjamin Butler, also club vice president, said the team defense has been better this year than last year and is not much of a concern going into this weekend.

“I know last year that was a big struggle for us,” Butler said. “Basic plays, basic errors that we were making.”

Hinnah said the key to beating the Panthers will be hitting.

“We’ve got to get the bats going early in the game,” Hinnah said.

Hinnah said he is thinking about making some changes in the lineup to accommodate this need. Junior second baseman Spencer Maroo has had a hot bat lately and Hinnah thinks he will find his way into the lineup this weekend either at third base or in the outfield.

The Cyclones play four games against the Panthers in Cedar Falls this Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, the games start at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. On Sunday, the games start at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.