This Week in Peacock Softball...

Winter weather forced the Upper Iowa softball schedule to rearrange for their upcoming eight-game home stand.  Instead of opening the home stretch against Wayne State, the Peacocks will now be closing the 2011 home portion of the schedule against the Wildcats next Thursday, April 28.

With the change, the second-to-last week of the season for Upper Iowa lightened to just a pair of Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference doubleheaders at Eischeid Complex in Fayette.

On Friday, the Peacocks welcome the Marauders of the University of Mary to Fayette for a 1 p.m. showdown before the Northern State University Wolves make a visit to northeast Iowa on Saturday.  Saturday’s twinbill with the Wolves is scheduled for a 12 p.m. start.

Scouting U-Mary

The Marauders of U-Mary enter Friday’s doubleheader with a 21-13 record overall which includes a 5-5 mark in NSIC play.  The Marauders have won six of their last seven games after sweeping Jamestown last Thursday in a non-conference twinbill.

Scouting Northern State

The Wolves of Northern State visit Winona, Minn. on Friday carrying a 9-21 record overall and a 2-8 record in conference action.  NSU and U-Mary split a non-conference doubleheader last Wednesday in Bismarck, prior to that, the Wolves has been riding a four-game losing streak.

Series History

Since transitioning to NCAA Division II, the Peacocks are 4-4 when playing the Marauders of U-Mary and 8-2 against Northern State.

OUCH!

Senior outfielder Chelsey Sechrest has been hit by an NSIC-high seven pitches.  The Olney, Illinois-native was plunked by three pitches in four games against MSU Moorhead and UM, Crookston.

Looking Ahead

The Peacocks have a busy final week to close out the 2011 season next week.  Upper Iowa plays host to #12-ranked Augustana on Wednesday before welcoming the Wildcats of Wayne State to Fayette for the home finale on Thursday.

Than next weekend, UIU closes out the season by travelling to Minnesota Duluth and Bemidji State next Saturday and Sunday.