This Weekend in Peacock Softball... Due to the snow in Fayette, Upper Iowa will hit the road for its mid-week matchup with Lewis University (5-3, 2-0 GLVC). The Peacocks will play the Flyers in back-to-back games inside the Rosemount Dome starting at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning. The Dome is located at 34 Jennie Finch Way, Rosemont, Illinois. This week's double-header with Lewis will wrap up the Peacocks non-conference schedule in 2013.
The Series... UIU has faced the Flyers four times over the past two seasons, but the Peacocks have never pulled out a victory. Last season, UIU fell to Lewis early in the year 6-2, but bounced back with two strong showings in the 2012 Las Vegas Desert Stinger Classic, losing both contests with LU by a score of 3-2. The Flyers also took the 2011 matchup, 8-6.
On Deck... After the Peacocks mid-week showdown with the Flyers, UIU will have just under one week to prepare for the start of the Northern Sun conference season. Barring any changes in the weather, the Peacocks are scheduled to face the Warriors of Winona State on Tuesday for a double-header in Minnesota.
Last Weekend... The Peacocks started off strong against Lindenwood as they held on to a 2-1 lead in game one and rolled the Lions, 11-0, in game two to earn the sweep. But that momentum didn’t carry into Saturday. Truman State’s Kristin Grossman connected on one of five total Bulldog home runs in the first inning of the first game on Saturday. Her three-run shot over the right centerfield wall helped TSU claim the sweep, 13-5 and 8-7.
NSIC Rankings... Upper Iowa is off to its best start under Head Coach Anna Van Wetzinga at 11-7 and a big part of that is due to the Peacocks’ early-season offensive firepower. UIU has recorded more doubles (30) than any team in the Northern Sun conference. The Peacocks are also ranked in the top half of the conference in batting average, slugging percentage, hits, on-base percentage, runs scored, runs batted in, triples and stolen bases. The Peacocks have also benefited from strong pitching. In 117 innings, the Peacocks have posted a 3.47 ERA and they’ve struck out 76 opposing hitters.
Halfway Home... The Peacocks own an impressive 9-0 mark this year when they are leading through the fourth inning. Compare that with an 0-6 mark when they are trailing after four innings and you can see why a fast start is crucial to a Peacock victory.
Solid Starting Lineup... Van Wetzinga has not made a lot of adjustments to the starting lineup this season as all four infield positions and all three outfield spots have seen the same starters for the entirety of the season. Besides pitching, catchers
Tara Duran and
Erica Kirgan are the only two players who rotate starts this season for the Peacocks.
“Duran” Her Thing... Continuing with her impressive sophomore season,
Tara Duran posted another strong weekend hitting the ball. Her six hits in 10 at-bats bumped her team-high batting average to .536 this season. She is also leading the Peacocks with a .750 slugging percentage. Duran’s 8 runs batted in this season is ranked eighth on the team, while her .581 on-base percentage is first among Peacocks. Duran - a native of Colorado Springs - has started ten games at catcher this year for UIU, while making 13 total appearances. The sophomore slugger’s three multi-RBI outings is also tied for first on the team this season. Look for Duran to have another solid performance against Lewis as the Peacocks prep for the start of conference play.
Freshman “Haus” Party... Lauren Marlinghaus from O’Fallon, Illinois has made an instant impact at third base for UIU this year. Although her 11-game hit streak ended at Truman State, she has continued to impress with a .468 on-base percentage - second on the team behind Duran. Her .965 fielding percentage is seventh on the team and her six doubles from the clean-up spot is tied for first on the team and third in the NSIC.
Gotta “Haning” to Her... Team captain and senior centerfielder
Hailley Haning had five hits and two RBI last weekend to help her team earn a split in Missouri. Her .417 batting average was second on the team over those two games and both of her RBI came in the Peacocks’ victories over Lindenwood. The Armington, Illinois native is also tied for a team-high six doubles this year, which is good for a third-spot tie in the conference.
Sensational Number 6... Freshman pitcher
Brooke Redmond has been impressive in the pitching circle in her first season. Not only is she leading the team in strikeouts with 34, but she owns a 2.29 ERA. Her strong outings have helped her earn top-15 NSIC rankings in strikeouts, innings pitched, opposing batting average, ERA and walks allowed and top-ten conference rankings in games started, wins and saves. Look for the Peacocks to rely on Redmond for the remainder of the year.
Here Comes The Flood... Freshman pitcher
Jacqueline Flood has provided a big spark in the Peacocks’ starting lineup in 2013. She has made her appearance felt early and often in the pitching circle, claiming 24 strikeouts and three wins, while contributing offensively with13 RBI and two home runs on just 14 hits as the DH.
Tune In... The Peacocks’ game this week will be available to follow from your home through the live stats link listed above.
Click here to follow all of the action as it happens live or stay tuned to upperiowaathletics.com to read the postgame recap.
