April 19, 2008

Game One Box Score | Game Two Box Score

The Peacocks got back to Northern Sun Conference action today in Marshall, Minnesota. Upper Iowa and Southwest Minnesota State got together for the first of two double headers this weekend. UIU entered the game in second place in the NSIC, while SMSU sat in the seventh spot. The Peacocks got timely hitting in both games and great pitching performances from Brian Solemsaas and Zach Raff to win game one 3-0 and game two 7-1.

The Peacocks managed their first hit of the game in the fourth inning when Marcus Thompson singled to center. Prior to the hit, UIU only had one runner on base against Mustang-starter Adam Schrader; a Ryan Arp walk. Thompson was erased from the bases on double play ball.

The hit got the ball rolling for the visitors as they scored two runs in the top of the fifth inning. Lucas Wilsing got the action started with a double to right center. Wilsing moved to third on a T.J. Johnson infield single and scored on a Seth Fox fielder's choice. With two outs, Arp singled down the left field line to put runners on first and second. Kreston Albright drove the second run in with a single to right field. After the inning, Upper Iowa led 2-0. The Peacock offense added another run in the sixth when Brock Spangenberg hit a homerun to left field with one out.

The three runs was more than enough support for Solemsaas, the Peacock starter. The right hander cruised through the game throwing a complete game. In his seven innings of work, Solemsaas did not allow a run while scattering three Mustang hits. He also struck out five while only walking one. Solemsaas (4-3) picked up his second straight complete game shutout victory of the week.

Wilsing and Johnson each had a pair of hits at the plate to lead the Peacock bats. Albright, Fox and Spangenberg each drove one run across the plate for the visitors in game one.

Southwest Minnesota found the plate first in game two with a run in the bottom of the second when the Mustangs tallied three singles around a double play grounder to score one run. The Peacocks wasted little time in rallying with two runs in the top of the third. The visitors scored the two runs while only managing one hit in the inning. Albright was hit by a pitch with one out and advanced to second on a Nick Fjelland sac bunt. Thompson drove Albright in with the inning's only single. Thompson crossed the plate after two wild pitches allowed him to move around the bases freely.

Upper Iowa blew the game open in the fifth leading 2-1. Fjelland opened the inning and reached on a fielding error. After stealing second, the Alleman, Iowa-native moved to third on a Spangenberg single. Spangenberg stole second to set up second and third with one out. Both runners scored on a Wilsing double to left center. The Peacocks continued the attack by putting runners on second and third with two outs. Seth Fox then doubled down the left field line to drive home the final two runs of the inning and give Upper Iowa a 6-1 lead.

The Peacocks added one final run when Wilsing drove a deep fly ball over the wall in right center field to give the visitors a 7-1 lead.

Zach Raff, the Peacock starter, threw a complete game to earn the win for UIU. The win was the first for Raff on the season. The right hander began the season with a tough-luck loss at #2 Ouchita Baptist, but has struggled since. Raff put together his best outing of the year as he allowed only one run on five hits while striking out two. What made the complete game even more impressive was the fact that Raff threw only 81 pitches.

Wilsing led the Peacocks at the plate with a 2-3 game as well as 3 runs batted in and 2 runs scored. Fox had a pair of rbi's and was one of five Peacocks with just one hit in the game. The first six batters in the Peacock batting order each scored at least one run in the second game.

The Peacocks and Mustangs will retake Alumni Field in Marshall for a second NSIC double header tomorrow beginning at noon.