While in Taiwan last month for the World University Games, Pella’s Grant Judkins had the opportunity to play against baseball teams from Japan, Russia, Korea, Mexico and the Czech Republic.

The University of Iowa finished second in the tournament, becoming the first United States team to ever earn a silver medal.

Judkins says that it was a tremendous learning experience to get to play against the diverse array of competition.

“Each country seemed to play the game a little bit different. Japan was really good, and they paid a lot of attention to the fine details. They were solid everywhere around. It was a lot of fun to see how each team played and how each country played the game.”

Iowa’s only losses of the tournament were to Japan, who won the gold medal.

After playing DH during his freshman season with the Hawkeyes, Judkins played first base during the World University Games. He says that he hopes to play that position next spring, as well as get a chance to pitch.

Iowa is the defending Big Ten Conference tournament champions and earned a trip the NCAA tournament last spring.