Box Score 1 | Box Score 2
WAYNE, NE. - An early lead in game one and a late comeback in game two weren't enough for the Upper Iowa Softball team to earn a victory against the Wildcats of Wayne State in Nebraska. The Peacocks were swept for just the second time this season and for the first time in conference play. Despite the losses, the Peacocks' Lauren Marlinghaus (pictured above) connected on her second home run of the year and Casey Musgrave recorded her first collegiate RBI.

"Big innings really hurt us again today," Head Coach Anna Van Wetzinga said. "We have to do a better job pitching ahead in the count and executing, pitch to pitch."

The sweep drops the Peacocks to 14-10 overall this year and 1-3 in NSIC play, while the Wildcats improve to 16-6 overall and 7-2 in conference play.

Game One Recap

The Peacocks couldn’t have asked for a better start. Jacqueline Flood, who has been red hot for the Peacocks over the last month - racking up five runs batted in and at least one hit in each of her last five games - got the Peacocks on the board early. In the top of the first inning with Hailley Haning at second, Flood roped a double to right center to put the Peacocks up 1-0. The two-bag knock was her 18th RBI of the season – good for first place on the team.

UIU extended its lead in the top of the second inning as Adrienna Olson earned her 11th RBI of the season with a single to centerfield that scored Tara Duran. Katie Mnichowicz had the second run of the inning as she stole home plate from third and Bailee Haberman rounded out the three-run inning with an RBI-single, but the Peacocks’ 4-0 lead would disappear quickly.

In the bottom of the third, the Wildcats’ scored six runs on four hits thanks to a Vicki Nielson grand slam over the right field wall.

Now trailing, 6-4, the Peacocks turned to the top of the lineup for some run support. In the fifth with two runners on, Lauren Marlinghaus flied out to centerfield, but was awarded the sacrifice-RBI as Haberman scored from third base.

After the Peacocks closed the gap to just one run, the Wildcats pulled away again with another six-run inning. This time, it was Sam O’Brien who hit a two-run four-bagger over the right centerfield wall. Then, with the based loaded, the Wildcats scored two runs on a single to left field from Kylee Simpson. Two more runs crossed home plate before the Peacocks could stop the bleeding and end the fifth inning.

The Wildcats added one final insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning, ultimately securing the 13-5 victory.

Game Two Recap

WSC carried its momentum into the night cap game as the Wildcats earned a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. The Peacocks bounced right back as Lauren Marlinghaus connected on her second home run of the season. The freshman slugger, who has started every game at third base this year, earned a total of two RBI on Wednesday and now has a total of 12 this year.

Simpson and the Wildcats retook the lead in the bottom of the second with a RBI-single before adding another run in the bottom of the third.

Before UIU could climb back into the game, WSC kept up the heat with another big inning. This time, the Wildcats scored four runs, all of which came on RBI-singles, in the bottom of the fourth.

Down 7-1, UIU made one final push.

Jenna Hermsen led off the inning with a walk before Kaite Mnichowicz doubled to left centerfield. On the next at-bat, Erica Kirgan grounded out, but Hermsen was still able to score and pull the Peacocks within 7-2. Casey Musgrave continued the run as she reached base on a single and recorded her first run batted in of the year as Mnichowicz crossed home plate.

The comeback ended there though, as the Wildcats secured the final two outs and earned the 7-3 victory.

The Peacocks left six runners on base in the final game, including two in the seventh inning.

"As a whole, we need to find consistency as a team on both sides of the ball," Van Wetzinga concluded.

Upper Iowa must now look ahead to its home-opener this weekend as they host the Beavers of Minot State for a double-dip on Saturday. First pitch will be thrown at 2 p.m. inside the Eischeid Softball Complex. Click here to watch the game, or click here to follow the live stats.