THIS WEEK IN PEACOCK SOFTBALL
 
Upper Iowa (26-12, 12-4) returns home after the longest conference road trip of the year and starts an eight-game homestand with a doubleheader against Concordia-St. Paul on Tuesday, April 12 at 2 p.m. The Peacocks then move to the weekend where they will host Northern State for a Saturday doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m., followed by a Sunday twinbilling against MSU Moorhead with first pitch at noon.

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KEY NOTES TO CONSIDER
 
1    STARING DOWN HISTORY: Upper Iowa has recorded 26 wins this season, surpassing their total from a year ago when the Peacocks finished 23-30 overall. UIU is only two wins away from tying the school record of 28 wins in a season, accomplished back in 2013.
 
2    HOME RUN RACE: Both Jacqueline Flood and Erica Kirgan mashed home runs last weekend and continue to be tied for the Upper Iowa career record with 27 long balls each.
 
3    SOLID TOP TO BOTTOM:  The Peacocks got contributions from all over the batting order last week as a trio of hitters lead the way with five hits, Sammy Garrett who hits in the nine hole, Tara Duran who hits in the middle of the order, and Riley Kruel who has led off every game. Kruel added a team-high five runs scored, while Duran had three extra-base hits with two doubles and a home run.
 
4     RED HOT MONTH: Over the last 36 days, the Peacocks have gone 21-5. During that stretch, the UIU offense has scored at least five runs in 15 times and are 15-0 in those games, while the Upper Iowa pitching has held the opponent to one run or less 12 times, including eight shutouts.

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ABOUT THE OPPONENTS
 
vs. CONCORDIA-ST. PAUL: The Golden Bears went 1-3 last week and now sit at 12-24 overall and 6-10 in the NSIC. Nicole Thompson is CU leader in hitting as she sports a .442 average. Justine Schattner is also near the .400 mark as she is hitting .393 and leads the team with 46 base hits and four home runs.
 
vs. NORTHERN STATE: The Wolves come in hot having collected three sweeps last week, defeating Minot State, Concordia- St. Paul and Minnesota State as NSU improved to 18-22 overall on the year, and stand 8-8 in the conference. Northern State is led at the plate by Kelsey Gale, who is hitting .371 with 46 hits, nine doubles and three home runs.
 
vs. MSU MOORHEAD: The Dragons have a busy week with four doubleheaders in six days to try to improve on their 10-22 record overall and 3-13 mark in conference. MSUM has two hitters with averages over .300 in Kristy Bruni (.313) and Kristen Nordby (.300), and both lead the team with three home runs each.