The Peacocks and Wolves of Northern State split a pair of NSIC games today in Fayette.  Northern State picked up an 11-9 decision in extra innings, but Upper Iowa dominated the early innings of the second game to hold on for a 10-7 win.

 

In game one, the Wolves jumped out to a 3-0 lead with a run in the first and two more in the second. UIU tied the game in the third thanks to a Chelsey Sechrest rbi-single and a two-run homer by Erin Bennek. NSU bounced right back with three runs in the fourth to take a 6-3 lead. 

 

The Peacocks rallied with six runs in the sixth inning fueled by seven hits including a two-run double by Erin Van Praag, an rbi-double from Laura Tackenberg, an Ashley Brown rbi-single, an rbi-double by Kayla Bergman and a Missy Olson rbi-single.

 

Northern State used their next at bats to tie the game in the top of the seventh scoring three runs on a three-run blast that nearly hit the scoreboard in left and then won the game in the eighth inning with two runs on three hits.

 

Brooklyn Koranda took the loss allowing three runs on five hits in the final 1.2 innings. Kelli Bornander picked up her first win of the season with her two innings of work; she did not allow a run while giving up two hits and striking out three.

 

Bennek recorded three hits for the home team, while Olson, Van Praag, Brown and Bergman all picked up two hits.

 

In the second game, the Peacocks raced out to an 8-0 lead with four runs in the first, three in the second and one more in the third.

 

The four runs in the first came thanks to an rbi-single from Bennek, a two-run triple to the gap in right center by Van Praag, and an rbi-single by Tackenberg. In the second, Bennek drove a long homerun over the center field fence that plated three and pushed the lead to 7-0.  The run in the third came on a solo shot over the wall in left by Olson.

The Wolves scored a run in the fifth and added five runs in the sixth on four hits as they closed the gap to 8-6.

Upper Iowa pushed back to a four-run lead in the sixth with two runs scoring on a Tackenberg single down the right field line.

In the seventh, Northern State made it interesting pushing a run across the plate and loading the bases with one out, but the Peacock hurler, Ashley Brown, stepped up to the challenge and got a strike out and forced a fielder's choice as the final out was recorded at third base to preserve UIU's second NSIC win of the year.

Koranda picked up the win with five innings of work; she allowed four runs on nine hits, while Brown picked up her first save with two innings and one run allowed on three hits.

At the plate, Bennek went 4 for 4 with four rbi and three runs scored, while Jones and Olson each recorded three hits for the home team.

Upper Iowa will wrap up their season next week with four NSIC double headers.  The first two are at home on Wednesday versus Augustana and Thursday versus Wayne State.  The Peacocks will be on the road for their final games of the season at Minnesota Duluth and Bemidji State.  The Peacocks' four seniors will be honored at Wednesday's double header against Augustana.