Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 Records Upper Iowa (8-14, 1-1 NSIC) || Minnesota Duluth (15-12, 1-1 NSIC)
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Summary It took until the second-to-last day of March for the Upper Iowa softball team to start Northern Sun Conference play, but the Peacocks managed to get the conference season underway on Sunday night. Playing inside the Husky Dome in St. Cloud, Minnesota and led by
Erica Kirgan's outstanding performance from the batter's box, the Peacocks opened the NSIC schedule with a split against Minnesota Duluth. After dropping the first game, 3-2, UIU bounced back thanks to two homers from Kirgan and four runs in the seventh to seal the 8-2 victory in the nightcap. Kirgan's three home runs on Sunday bump her season total up to six - all but one of which have come in the month of March.
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Game One Recap Two early runs from the Bulldogs stymied Upper Iowa's enthusiastic approach to the start of conference play. UMD scored twice in the bottom of the second; the first on a dropped fly-ball and the second on a fielder's choice. UIU couldn't find an answer in the top of the third and the Bulldogs added to their lead in the next inning. Back-to-back doubles put UMD up 3-0 with just one out in the third. The Peacocks got out of the inning, but the offense was forced to play catch-up.
In the fourth and the fifth, the Peacocks left a runner on the bags; unsuccessfully beginning their comeback. That changed in the sixth though.
With a runner on, Kirgan stepped to the plate and smashed a pitch over the leftfield wall to pull UIU within one, 3-2. The two-run jack looked like it could have sparked a comeback, but UIU fell short. The Peacocks stranded a runner in the sixth and one in the seventh to end the game.
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Game Two RecapDespite the Bulldogs having the earlier momentum, the Peacocks were the first to strike in the nightcap. Again it was Kirgan.
With
Riley Kruel on second, Kirgan drilled another home run over the wall to put UIU out in front by two in the top of the third inning. That was cut in half by UMD in the bottom of the fourth as the Bulldogs scored on an RBI-single after getting two runners aboard early. Kirgan wasn't about to let UIU's lead slip away though. With two outs in the top of the fifth, Kirgan earned another jack - this one a solo home run over the centerfield wall.
The Peacocks' lead then bulged to three runs in the top of the sixth.
Whitney Williams crossed home plate after reaching base on a walk earlier in the inning.
Katie Mnichowicz was responsible for bringing her home as the junior shortstop squeezed a ball down the left-field line and off the glove of the third baseman. The Bulldogs had an answer as they cut the lead in half with a sac-fly RBI.
Despite leading by two runs in the top of the seventh, the Peacocks weren't satisfied with their lead. Kirgan capped her impressive night as she led off the inning with a single.
Lauren Marlinghaus then doubled to put two runners in scoring position.
Katie Sammons brought one of those runners home as she laid down the squeeze for a fielder's choice RBI. Now with a 5-2 lead, Williams stepped to the plate again. Her ensuing single brought Marlinghaus across home plate as the Peacocks' lead swelled to 6-2.
Adrienna Olson kept up the pressure as she followed William's hit with a single of her own. Mnichowicz then reached on an error to bring Williams home. Kruel was the final Peacock to drive in a run; her single, which was the fourth in a row for UIU, brought Olson home and gave UIU a commanding 8-2 lead.
That lead was good enough to seal the win as
Brooklyn Koranda hit the rubber and earned the save in the bottom of the seventh.
Brooke Redmond was awarded the win for throwing six innings, striking out four and allowing only two earned runs. The victory ensured a split with the Bulldogs as UIU sits at .500 in conference play.
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Sounding OffHead Coach Amanda Bradberry after the games...Thoughts on Erica Kirgan's big day... "Erica has made a lot of adjustments since last year. She worked really hard over the summer last year and in the offseason and it's starting to pay off. She is consistently swinging the bat well, which is good to see."
What were your thoughts on the split... "It was nice to see our team get back to playing our style in game two. That is, we want to put pressure on the defense. I want our team to have a solid approach at the plate and have some fun. We were swinging with confidence and we took some risks, especially in the second game."
What are your expectations for Tuesday's game... "I want our team to remember how we played today, especially late in the game. There was a questionable call that ended the first game, but we bounced back really well in game two. We had a solid offensive output today and I want them to carry that over into next week."
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Up Next The Peacocks' home-opener is scheduled for this Tuesday against Wayne State. The teams are currently slated to play at 1 p.m. inside the Eischeid Softball Complex.
