March 29, 2009
Game One Stats
Game Two Stats
The Peacock softball team began their day by removing an inch of snow from the entire softball field at the Eischeid Complex in Fayette. Coaches Christina Missildine and Jessica Stephens, wanted to make sure that the entire team, the university's physical plant, especially Mike Estrem, and all the other helpers that made the field playable today know that their efforts were much appreciated. The group worked together to remove a layer of snow and allow the double header with Northern State to be played this afternoon.
The Peacocks hit the ball well and got great pitching from starters Christy Loan and Stefani Schulte. Upper Iowa took the first game by a 7-0 count and game two by a 9-4 score. With the two wins, Upper Iowa opened their 2009 NSIC season with a 2-0 record. Overall the Peacocks, ranked #10 in the Central Region, are 11-7 overall.
In game one, Upper Iowa put three runs on the board in the first inning and added an unearned run in the second. The Peacocks held their 4-0 lead until the bottom of the sixth when they tacked on three more runs to pad their lead. Loan shut the door on the Wolves in the seventh and UIU won the first contest 7-0.
In game two, Northern State put their first run of the day on the board in the first inning, but the lead was short-lived as Upper Iowa jumped back into the lead with three runs in the bottom of the inning. The Peacocks continued to pound the ball in the second inning with five more runs to push their lead to seven, 8-1. Northern State got one run back in the third, but the Upper Iowa bats would not stay quiet. The Peacocks added their final run in the third and held Northern State to just two runs over the final innings to pick up the 9-4 victory.
For the day, the Peacocks were led by strong pitching performances on the mound. Loan threw a complete game shutout in game one. She threw seven innings giving up only two hits while striking out nine Wolves' batters. Loan improved to 6-3 on the season. Schulte started game two and threw three innings allowing two runs, one earned, on three hits. Erica Maisto picked up the win and improved to 3-2 after throwing four innings and holding the Wolves to two runs on six hits.
At the plate, Kami Appelt tallied five hits on the day including two home runs and a double. She scored three runs and drove in seven. Meredith Ang picked up four hits including one double and two rbi's. Casey Coon also had four hits and scored three runs. Brittney Auten had a homerun and a triple in her day at the plate.
The Peacocks will remain at home for their next four NSIC double headers. Upper Iowa will host the Vikings of Augustana College on Wednesday at 2 and 4 p.m. UIU will then welcome the Bulldogs of Minnesota Duluth and the Beavers of Bemidji State this Saturday and Sunday. Both NSIC matchups will begin at noon.
