The Peacock softball team split a doubleheader with the Augustana Vikings on Tuesday afternoon and snapped a six-game winning streak with a game two loss, but moved into a tie for first in the conference standings in the process. Upper Iowa won game one, 5-1, by rallying for four runs in the bottom of the fifth, before dropping game two, 3-2, as Augustana rallied for runs in the sixth and seventh innings. At the end of the day, the Peacocks picked up their 20th win of the year and moved to 20-10 overall and 6-2 in conference play, and are now tied Minnesota State and Sioux Falls for the top spot in the NSIC. The Vikings are now 18-11 and 5-2 in the NSIC.

Senior Jacqueline Flood (9-5) took the decision in both games for the Peacocks, earning the win in game one by pitching a complete game and allowed just one unearned run. The Mt. Vernon, Ill. native came on in relief in game two, but surrendered the game-winning run in her one inning of work to take the loss. Flood was also the best hitter on the day for UIU, picking up four hits in seven at-bats including her fourth home run of the year, scored two runs and had two RBI. Freshman Sami Kay Shafranski added three hits, while junior Riley Kruel, junior Tara Walls, and junior Katie Sammons had two each.

Upper Iowa begins an 10-game roadtrip this weekend with a pair of doubleheaders in northern Minnesota, starting with a couple games at Minnesota Duluth on Saturday, Apr. 2. The Peacocks wrap up the weekend with a twin-bill at St. Cloud State. Both doubleheaders are scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.

Upper Iowa 5, Augustana 1

The Peacocks got on the board early in game one with a towering solo home run off the bat of Flood in the bottom of the first. 

UIU exploded for four more runs in the bottom of the fifth to take a 5-0 lead. Sophomore Sammy Garrett reached on a fielder's choice and moved to second on a single by Kruel. Shafranski then laid down a perfect bunt and beat a throw from the Augustana catcher, but the throw went into right field, which allowed Garrett to score. The right fielder missed the the ball, which allowed Kruel to score and Shafranksi to go all the way to third. Flood came up next and singled on a drag bunt down the first base line that brought Shafranski home. Flood stole second and scored a couple batters later when Walls reached on an error to finish off the four-run inning.

The Vikings finally scratched the scoreboard in the top of the seventh, but Flood struck out the side including the final batter to end the game.

Flood threw a complete game and allowed just one unearned run on four hits. The right-handed pitcher struck out nine batters and didn't allow a walk.

Augustana 3, Upper Iowa 2

Game two started with the Peacocks continuing to swing hot bats. Kruel led off the game with a walk and stole second before Shafranski hit an RBI double down the left field line to score the first run of the game. A few batters later, Walls singled to right to score Shafranski and put UIU up 2-0. Upper Iowa loaded the bases with just one out with senior Lauren Marlinghaus reached on an error, but a couple ground outs ended the threat.

The next two innings, senior pitcher Brooke Redmond was forced to work out of jams with runners in scoring positions and less than two outs, but held the Vikings scoreless through three innings. 

In the top of the fourth, Augustana finally broke through with a solo home run to left field, cutting the Peacock lead in half and making it a 2-1 game.

UIU looked as those they would respond to the Viking home run when Kruel came up with runners on first and second and two outs. The junior shortstop hit a single to center field, but a perfect throw nabbed Sammons at the plate and the score remained 2-1.

In the fifth inning, Upper Iowa had three hits, all singles, to load the bases with just one out, but couldn't find a way to bring a runner home and stranded all three runners. 

The Vikings came back with a run to tie the game in the top of the sixth. With runners on the corners and two outs, pinch hitter Kylie Rome hit an RBI single to center and knotted the game at 2-2. The next hitter reached on an error to load the bases, but Redmond was able to induce a fly out next to end the inning. 

After a 1-2-3 bottom of the sixth, Augustana took the lead with a two-out solo home run by Maggie Kadrlik in the top of the seventh. The Peacocks went quietly in the bottom of the seventh by going down in order.

Flood came on in relief in the seventh and took the loss after surrendering the solo home run. Redmond threw six innings, allowed two runs on seven hits, and struck out three. 

Three Peacocks had two hits in the game as Flood, Shafranski and Walls combined for six of the eight UIU hits.