THIS WEEK IN PEACOCK SOFTBALL
 
Upper Iowa (14-8) gets back to action after a week off and will open the NSIC schedule against Winona State on Tuesday. The Peacocks then will host a pair of Northern Sun opponents over the weekend when Minnesota Crookston comes to Fayette for a doubleheader on Friday, followed by Bemidji State for two games on Saturday.

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KEY NOTES TO CONSIDER
 
1       IN THE ELEMENTS: Upper Iowa is 12-2 when playing outdoors this season  at the UAM 8-State Classic and the NTC Spring Games, compared to just 2-6 when playing in domes. The Peacocks are scheduled to play the remainder of their games outside.
 
2   SPRINGING INTO CONFERENCE: After a 9-1 trip down to Clermont, Florida, UIU begins conference play above .500 for the first time since the 2013 season when Upper Iowa finished the year 28-16.
 
3     PRIMED PITCHING:  The Peacocks pitching was extraordinary during the ten-game stretch in Florida, with seniors Brooke Redmond and Jacqueline Flood each going 4-0 on the trip. Redmond had a shutout and set a career-high with 12 strikeouts against Wilmington, while Flood lowered her season ERA from 2.47 to 1.73 with a couple shutouts and a 12-K game against Kutztown.
 
4      CLOSING STRONG: UIU is continuing a trend of finishing games well under head coach Amanda Bradberry. The Peacocks are 11-2 when leading after four innings this season, following the trend of going 29-6 over Bradberry's first two seasons.

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ABOUT THE OPPONENTS
 
vs. WINONA STATE: The Warriors are 18-6 this season, led by strong pitching from Hanna Lythberg (9-2, 0.98 ERA), Alex Walker (4-1, 2.24 ERA) and McKenna Larsen (5-2, 2.80 ERA). Senior outfielder Reed Karsten leads WSU at the plate, hitting .420 this season.
 
vs. MINNESOTA CROOKSTON: UMC turned in a 6-1 week in Arizona over its spring break last week to improve to 6-14 overall. The Golden Eagles have two hitters currently hitting above .400 in Gabriel Antolak (.431) and Allison Foley (.426).
 
vs. BEMIDJI STATE: The Beavers are off to a 17-6 start due to some excellent pitching. Junior pitcher Jessica Yost (11-1, 0.98 ERA) has been named NSIC Pitcher of the Week twice already this season.