UIU Game Notes || NSIC Weekly Release

This Weekend in Peacock Softball... Rain cancelled the final two contests of the Missouri Southern Border Battle for the Peacocks, but UIU still managed to finish the tournament with a 2-1 record. The Peacocks scored 13 runs on Saturday and swept the host Lions of MSSU. This week, UIU will head back to Missouri for back-to-back double-headers on Friday and Saturday. First, the Peacocks will take on Lindenwood University (5-7, 1-1 MIAA) in St. Charles, with the first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m. Then, the Peacocks will make the short trip to Kirksville, Missouri to face the Truman State Bulldogs (10-4, 1-1 MIAA), starting at 1 p.m. The Peacocks will have only one more non-conference game remaining after this weekend’s games.

The Series... Despite a split between these two teams earlier this year, UIU is just 5-12 against the MIAA over the past four seasons. In the NSIC/MIAA Crossover in Rochester, the  Peacocks earned two wins over MIAA teams, with one of those wins coming against Truman State. That was the Peacocks’ second series victory against TSU as the Bulldogs hold a 5-2 lead in the two squad’s matchups. UIU is 0-1 against the Lions.

On Deck... Following this weekend’s action, the Peacocks will face their final non-conference opponent of the 2013 season. With snow still falling in Fayette, UIU will visit Romeoville, Illinois to face Lewis University. The Peacocks have never beaten the Flyers since they joined the Northern Sun Conference before the 2006-07 season (0-4).

NSIC Rankings... Upper Iowa is off to its best start under Head Coach Anna Van Wetzinga and a big part of that is due to the Peacocks’ early-season offensive firepower. UIU owns the fourth-best batting average in the conference and the fifth-best slugging percentage. The Peacocks are also ranked in the top half of the conference in hits, on-base percentage, runs scored, RBI, doubles, triples and home runs. The offense has also benefited from strong UIU pitching. In 93 innings, the Peacocks have posted a 2.78 ERA and they’ve struck out 67 opposing hitters.

Halfway Home... The Peacocks own an impressive 8-0 mark this year when they are leading through the fourth inning. Compare that with an 0-4 mark when they are trailing after four innings and you can see why a fast start is the key to a Peacock victory.
 
Solid Starting Lineup... Head Coach Anna Van Wetzinga has not made a lot of adjustments with the starting lineup this season. All four infield positions and all three outfield spots have seen the same starters all year long. Besides pitching, catchers Tara Duran and Erica Kirgan are the only two players to rotate starts this season for the Peacocks.
 
“Duran” Her Thing... There is no such thing as a sophomore slump for catcher Tara Duran. This season, she is leading the Peacocks in hitting with a .500 batting average and a .778 slugging percentage. She has also posted a perfect fielding percentage from behind the plate, while recording 36 putouts - second most on the team. Duran’s 7 RBI is tied for second on the team, while her .550 on-base percentage is first among Peacocks. Duran - a native of Colorado Springs - had two hits and two RBI in three at-bats against MSSU in the Peacocks’ second game against the Lions last Saturday. The sophomore slugger also has the most multi-RBI games on the team this season with three.
 
Freshman “Haus” Party... Lauren Marlinghaus from O’Fallon, Illinois has made an instant impact in the Peacocks’ starting lineup this year. Not only does she have the longest hitting streak on the team at nine games, but she has started all fourteen games for UIU at third base. Her .957 fielding percentage is sixth on the team and her four doubles from the clean-up spot is second on the squad. Futhermore, in 39 at-bats she has 15 hits, which is the most out of any Peacock.
 
Struck Out “Brooke”-ing... Freshman pitcher Brooke Redmond has been on fire for the Peacocks in the early goings of the 2013 season. Not only is she leading the team in strikeouts with 28, but she has the sixth-best ERA in the conference at 1.58. In her forty innings of work, Redmond has allowed only 36 hits, 9 earned runs and one home run. She’s tied for ninth in the NSIC in appearances, she’s15th in opponents’ batting average, tied for fifth with 5 wins, and she is also one of six NSIC pitchers to earn a save this season. The Peacocks will need her hot hand as they prepare for the start of conference play on March 26th.
 
Here Comes The Flood... Freshman pitcher Jacqueline Flood has provided a big spark to the starting lineup. She has made her appearance felt early and often in the pitching circle, claiming 21 strikeouts this season. She has also contributed offensively with12 hits and two home runs in 43 at-bats as the designated hitter.
 
Dominant Duo... Seniors Hailley Haning and Racheal Anello have both earned NSIC rankings in the top-ten with five and four doubles, respectively. Together, they have started every game from their respective positions and they have combined for 28 hits, nine RBI and 17 runs for the Peacocks this year.

Follow Along... From the comfort of your home you can follow the Peacocks on the road this weekend thanks to the live stats links above provided by their respective universities.