Iowa junior catcher Tyson Blaser is set to call the signs for the Mallards pitching staff in 2009 after finishing last season with a .323 batting average, 10 doubles, and 14 RBIs for the Hawkeyes. Playing through an injured thumb, hamstring, and MCL throughout the year, Blaser managed to hit .389 in Big Ten Conference play that included a team fourth-best .442 on-base percentage. The versatile right-hander also hit in six different spots in the lineup and recorded seven multi-hit games. Blaser got it done in the classroom as well, being named a 2008 Academic All-Big Ten Honoree.
