THIS WEEK IN PEACOCK SOFTBALL Upper Iowa (19-9, 5-1 NSIC) heads into the second week of Northern Sun play on a five-game winning streak and currently sits tied for second in the NSIC with a 5-1 conference record. The Peacocks start the week by ending an eight-game homestand with the Augustana Vikings on Tuesday. UIU will then travel to northern Minnesota to take on Minnesota Duluth on Saturday and St. Cloud State on Sunday.
KEY NOTES TO CONSIDER 1 SUNSHINE AND SOFTBALL: Upper Iowa is 17-3 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 HOME COOKIN': Under the tutelage of Head Coach
Amanda Bradberry, the UIU has been tough to beat at the Eischeid Softball Complex, putting together a 21-9 (.700) record at home.
3 KEY HITTING FROM THE KEYSTONE: Upper Iowa junior second baseman
Tara Walls had her best week as a Peacock to open conference play. The transfer from Kirkwood Community College picked up 8 hits in 15 at-bats (.444), including three doubles and a home run, scored five runs and added six RBI.
4 RED HOT: UIU senior pitcher
Brooke Redmond has been on fire in the circle of late. The Basehor, Kansas native went 3-0 with a 0.74 ERA last week, tossing three complete games, including two shutouts, while striking out 23 batters in 19 innings.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS vs. AUGUSTANA: The Vikings are 17-10 to start the year and went 4-1 in their first week of conference play. Augie has eight hitters with batting averages above .300, including senior Carley Pickett who is hitting .404. Pickett is also the top pitcher for AU, holding a 10-5 record with a 2.79 ERA.
vs. MINNESOTA DULUTH: The Bulldogs have started the season 13-8 and despite a team batting average of just .233, UMD scores runs by running. Duluth is second in the conference with 58 stolen bases this year in 66 attempts.
vs. ST. CLOUD STATE: The Huskies are off to a 17-10 start to the season and are second in the conference in runs scored with 170, largely in part to their .311 team batting average. On the pitching side, SCSU is middle of the pack with a 3.10 team ERA.
