Complete UIU Softball Weekly Release
2012 Desert Stinger Classic Webpage presented by Rip It
This Week in Peacock Softball...
The Peacock softball team opens their 2012 season this weekend at the Desert Stinger Classic hosted by Montana State University-Billings in Las Vegas, Nev. 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 Skyhawks of Fort Lewis and the Orediggers of Colorado-School of Mines, a pair of RMAC schools at 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Then on Saturday, UIU will line up at 4:30 and 7 p.m. to battle the Cowgirls of New Mexico Highlands and Flyers of Lewis.
The Peacocks close out the 3rd Annual Classic on Sunday when they return to the field at 2 p.m. to take on the Mustangs of Western New Mexico.
You Guys Look Familiar…
Peacock Head Coach Anna Van Wetzinga led the Orediggers to an overall record of 101-64 while racking up a 73-38 record in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference for the three years prior to taking over the softball program at Upper Iowa.
Last Year at the 2011 Desert Stinger Classic…
The Peacock offense scored 33 runs in last year’s five games in Las Vegas, but only managed one win in five tries due to the very young pitching staff for Upper Iowa. The Peacocks defeated Fort Lewis in the opener 11-10, but lost to Adams State 16-8, New Mexico Highlands 14-8, Lewis 8-6 and Regis 9-0. Hannah Jones and Erin Bennek, seniors on last year’s team, were recognized on the All-Tournament team by the coaches and administrators of the tournament. Jones earned a spot on the second team, while Bennek left her mark on the third team. Jones hit .571 in five games. The Waukon, Iowa native racked up 8 hits in 14 at bats including a double, a triple and two homers. Jones is slugging a dominating 1.214 after the first weekend of action. Jones leads the team in rbi's with 9, while scoring 7 times. Bennek hit .529 in the five games with 9 hits in 17 at bats including a pair of doubles and a pair of triples. The senior scored 7 runs and drove in 5 runners while slugging .882. Bennek was also a perfect 4 for 4 in stolen bases.
Looking Ahead…
The Peacocks return to action on Feb. 22 with a double header against Grand View in Rochester, Minn. Upper Iowa will then compete in the SCSU Husky Dome Classic on Feb. 25-26. UIU will face Jamestown and St. Cloud State on Saturday and Augustana and Dakota State on Sunday in St. Cloud, Minn.
