After some tough bounces to start the season, the Upper Iowa softball team finally got its break and took full advantage of it. UIU had dropped 11 straight games when it took the field against the #16 Central Oklahoma Bronchos at the Apple Market Classic, including a 14-4 loss to Central Missouri in game one of the day. But behind strong pitching performance from junior Jacqueline Flood, the Peacocks broke their losing streak with a 1-0 upset of the Bronchos.

Against Central Oklahoma, UIU got on the board in the bottom of the first when Whitney Williams scored on a wild pitch. Williams got on base by drawing a walk, advanced to second on an error and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Flood.

In the top of the second, Flood had to work her way out of a jam when the Bronchos had runners on second and third with one out. But the Peacock pitcher recovered and was able to get the next two UCO hitters with a line out to third and ended the inning with a fly out to center.

Pitching then dominated the next few innings as UIU and UCO combined for just three hits from the third through fifth innings, holding both teams scoreless. In the top of the sixth, the Bronchos threatened with a one-out double, but just like the second inning they were unable to bring the runner around.

In the seventh, Central Oklahoma had its best chance to tie the game or take the lead when a leadoff baserunner was able to move all the way to third base on a sacrifice bunt, giving the Bronchos the game-tying run 90 feet away with one out. But the Peacock pitching and defense secured the win and the shutout by getting the next two hitters in order to finish the game.

Flood (2-4) picked up the win, throwing a complete game shutout, scattering six hits and striking out two. She was also one of four Peacocks to pick up a hit, along with junior Erica Kirgan, sophomore Riley Kruel and redshirt freshman Sammy Garrett.

In game one of the day, UIU fell to Central Missouri 14-4. The game was tied 1-1 after the first inning, but then the Jennies scored six runs in the second, four in the third and three in the fourth to take a 14-2 lead before the Peacocks added a run in their half of the fourth and fifth.

Williams and Flood had two hits each, while Brooke Redmond (2-8) took the loss.

Upper Iowa finishes the Apple Market Classic on Sunday with games against Missouri Southern State at 11 a.m. and Pittsburg State at 3 p.m.