By BEN SCHMITZ
hawkeyesports.com
IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Junior Blake Hickman threw seven shutout innings and the Hawkeye offense posted season highs in hits and runs, leading the 14th-ranked University of Iowa baseball team to a 13-4 rout of Northwestern in the opening game of a Saturday doubleheader at Duane Banks Field.
The win propels the Hawkeyes to their fourth straight Big Ten series victory and seventh series win of the season. Iowa has won five-straight Big Ten series dating back to last season -- the longest stretch since 1990.