Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 ROSEMOUNT, IL. – The Upper Iowa Softball offseason was full of pitching question marks, but two Peacock freshmen have stepped up nicely in the early goings of 2013. Brooke Redmond (pictured above) and Jacqueline Flood were close to perfect as they helped UIU sweep their final two non-conference games of the year against Lewis University, 2-0 in game one and 9-5 in game two.

“I was really happy with the way we bounced back from our last double-header,” Head Coach Anna Van Wetzinga said. “In the first game, we played very good defense, especially our outfield. They ran down some balls that were hit hard.”

For Coach Van Wetzinga one thing was for sure heading into 2013 – her seniors would decide how far the team could go and those senior captains delivered on Wednesday morning once again. Outfielders Hailley Haning and Bailee Haberman and infielder Rachael Anello all notched two or more RBI against the Flyers, helping the Peacocks earn the sweep and improve to 13-7 overall this year.
 
Game One Recap
Freshman pitcher Brooke Redmond was dominant against the Flyers in game one. Redmond went all seven innings, struck out two batters and never gave up a run or a walk the entire game. While Redmond gave up only seven hits from the pitching circle, the offense just needed to get a lead to ensure the victory.

The Peacocks did just that in the top of the third inning. With the bases loaded, Rachael Anello roped a single to right field as Jacqueline Flood and Hailley Haning crossed home plate. Anello would ultimately be stranded on base but her fifth and sixth runs batted in of the season were ultimately the game-winning runs as the Peacocks held on for the 2-0 victory.

UIU totaled seven hits in the first game, but stranded nine base-runners. Taking Redmond’s spot in the hitting rotation, Flood led the team with two hits in only three at-bats as the designated player.

Redmond was awarded the victory, her seventh of the season in just nine starts. Redmond also stranded six of the Flyers’ base-runners to ensure the shutout – her third her 2013 season.

“Brooke came up with the big pitches when it mattered most and got out of some jams,” Van Wetzinga said. “I wish we could have gotten some more hits in game one, but Rachael Anello got a very timely hit to help us earn the victory.”
 
Game Two Recap
The Flyers took an early 1-0 lead after a gutsy steal in the top of the first inning. The Flyers called for the double-steal with two runners on. First, Lauren Hanford stole second, then Michelle Vucsko picked the Peacocks’ pocket as she stole home to give her team a 1-0 lead.

Whitney Williams helped the Peacocks answer right back as she earned her eighth RBI of the year on a single in the top of the third to tie the game at 1-1. Then, after Katie Mnichowicz drew a walk, Bailee Haberman knuckled a ball to left field which brought Williams home.

No stranger to big innings, Hailley Haning earned two more UIU runs with a double to center field. This time, Mnichowicz and Haberman were plated and Haning advanced to third in the chaos. Flood brought her home, though, as the freshman earned the sac-fly RBI to round out the five-run inning for the Peacocks.

“We attacked much better offensively,” Van Wetzinga said. “We also hit the ball a lot harder in that second game.”

UIU increased its lead to six runs in the top of the fifth thanks to another RBI from Haberman and an RBI-single to centerfield from Lauren Marlinghaus, who is now tied for fourth on the team with 10 runs batted in.

Down by six with three innings remaining, the Flyers started their run. They notched two runs in the bottom of the fifth after a Hanford two-run double. Then, Lewis earned a run in both the sixth and seventh innings, but it wasn’t enough.

The Peacocks added two more runs in the top of the sixth in an inning reminiscent to the Flyers’ first inning. With Haberman on first and Mnichowicz on third, Van Wetzinga called for a steal. First, Haberman made it safely to second, then Mnichowicz stole home to give UIU an 8-4 lead. Mnichowicz is 6-for-9 when stealing bases this year - both are team-highs.

Haning rounded up the scoring with an RBI-single through the right side of the Flyers’ defense which plated Haberman.

Flood was in charge of the pitching duties for the Peacocks in game two and she responded admirably. The freshman went all seven innings and earned her fourth victory of the young season, 9-5.

“They got some runs, but we didn’t give up the big inning by making errors,” Van Wetzinga concluded. “I thought Jacqueline Flood kept her composure throughout the game.”

The Peacocks will now prep for the start of conference play, which is scheduled for next Tuesday at Winona State barring weather changes.