This Week in Peacock Softball...

The Coach Van Wetzinga-era in Peacock Softball officially gets started this weekend when the Peacocks travel to Las Vegas, Nev. to compete in the 2011 Desert Stinger Classic hosted by Montana State University-Billings.  The Peacocks will play five games in a matter of three days, all of which are in-region contests and include four games with opponents from the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.

On Friday, the Peacocks play the Fort Lewis University Skyhawks and Grizzlies of Adams State, a pair of RMAC schools at 2 and 4:30 p.m.  Then on Saturday, UIU will line up at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. to battle the Cowgirls of New Mexico Highlands and Flyers of Lewis.

The Peacocks close out the 2nd Annual Classic on Sunday when they return to the field at 4:30 p.m. to take on the Rangers of Regis University.

All times listed are central time and stats listed below are from 2010 season.

Scouting Fort Lewis

The Skyhawks of Fort Lewis have been picked to finish 11th in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) and fifth of six teams in the West Division of the league.  Fort Lewis finished last season with a 17-26 record overall which included a 16-22 mark in conference action. 

Junior Jordan Willis returns after leading the Skyhawks last season in hitting with a .361 average which included 10 doubles and five home runs.

Scouting Adams State

Adams State enters the 2011 season picked to finish sixth overall in the RMAC standings and third in the West Division of the league. 

The Grizzlies garnered one first place vote in the West Division a trio of 2011 RMAC Preseason All-Conference players in senior Jaycee Lovato , junior shortstop Rebecca Lindquist and sophomore outfielder Katelyn Lovato.  ASC finished the 2010 season with a 16-22 record overall and a 15-21 mark in RMAC play.

Scouting New Mexico Highlands

The Cowgirls of New Mexico Highlands University have been selected to finish 12th in the 12-team RMAC and sixth in the six-team West Division after finishing the 2010 season with a 17-29 record overall and a 12-23 league record. 

The Cowgirls return their leading hitter from last season in senior right-handed pitcher Tanya Groff, a Oro Valley, Ariz.-native that hit .355 last season while driving in 37 runs.

Scouting Lewis

Lewis University is picked to win the Great Lakes Valley Conference in 2011 as they return all nine starters and top two pitchers in from 2010, including sophomore outfielder and 2010 All-American Jayme Hefler. 

The Flyers finished last season with a 39-17 record and a 20-8 mark in GLVC play, good enough to finish third in the regular season standings. 

LU received 14 votes in the National Fastpitch Coaches’ Association preseason top 25 poll released earlier this month.

Scouting Regis

The Regis University Rangers enter the 2011 season picked as the third place team in the RMAC and tied for second place in the East Division while receiving five first-place votes in the division and a pair of first-place votes overall.  The Rangers return a pair of 2011 RMAC Preseason All-Conference members in senior hurler Biance Holley and catcher Alisa Heronema.  Regis finished last season with a 22-28 record overall and a 17-23 mark in league play.

Series History

Since transitioning to NCAA Division II prior to the 2006 season, the Peacocks have never played any of the five teams they are competing against this weekend.

Looking Ahead

The Peacocks return to action next weekend when they visit Rochester, Minn. for four games in the NSIC/RMAC Crossover Tournament held inside the Rochester Regional Stadium and Bubble.

The softball action begins on Saturday and runs through Sunday morning.