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23 "How we survived that and how well we played, I was fired up and I knew the first weekend at home against Indiana was going to be a test. Were we going to be tired, nervous, or change how we played?" It was business as usual for the Hawkeyes and a statement was made. Iowa swept No. 19 Indiana, outscoring the Hoosiers, 17-7, in the three-game series. It was the program's first sweep over a ranked foe in 25 years and vaulted Iowa into the national rankings. "Indiana had put it on us the last two years," said Heller. "To sweep that series, that's when I knew they believed. ey went out and took care of business and set the tone right away. At that point, I knew they had it going, and we had a chance to have a special season." e Hawkeyes remained in the Big Ten title hunt, battling Illinois, until the final weekend of the season. Iowa won its first seven league series (and a school-record eight dating back to the 2014 season) to finish with a 19-5 league record. e .792 Big Ten winning percentage was the best by a runner-up since the league returned to single divi- sion play in 1988. "When the Big Ten was the best it has ever been from top to bottom, this team went out and com- peted at a high level and was able to finish second by five games out of third," said Heller. "Illinois had the year they had, which was amazing, but in most years, we were looking at a Big Ten champi- onship-type team." In a season that saw the Hawkeyes post six walk- off victories, Heller's season highlight came during the final weekend of the season when Iowa beat Oregon, 3-1, to win its first NCAA Tournament game since 1972. U niversity of Iowa head baseball coach Rick Heller smiles when recalling the magical ride of 2015. It was a year when the Hawkeyes returned to relevancy on the national stage, earning its first ranking since 1990, and winning 41 games -- the second most in program history. Iowa lied a 43-year-old monkey off its back, winning its first NCAA Tournament game since 1972 and advanc- ing to the Springfield Regional final. "I am proud of all the guys on this team," said Heller, who has posted 71 victories in his two seasons in Iowa City. "eir focus and ability to go out over the course of a long season and play great day-in and day-out and win every series except the last one was remarkable. e consistency is what impresses me most." e Hawkeyes met for the first time as a team on Aug. 22, 2014, where they laid out loy team goals. e veteran squad wanted to be playing in June and make a run at a Big Ten regular season cham- pionship. "ey were driven to do that, and we did," said Heller. "ey achieved most of the goals that were set in that first meeting." Heller sensed the Hawkeyes could have a spe- cial season aer rolling through the travel-heavy portion of the schedule. Iowa lost its first game against Kansas State before reeling off nine straight victories and posting a 15-5 record through the first six weeks. "I was pleased with where we were aer the early part of the year when we did our travel," said Heller. "at's the part of the year where we travel each weekend, get back late, and do it again the next weekend.