Peacock softball wrapped up their run at the UAM 8-State Classic with their first win of the 2017 season on Sunday morning in Bentonville, Ark. Upper Iowa put together their best game of the young season, scoring 7 runs on 10 hits en route to a 7-3 win over Nebraska-Kearney. UIU would then drop an 8-0, five-inning game to the hosts Arkansas-Monticello to end the day. The Peacocks open up their season 1-5 through three days, and will have a week off before heading to Pittsburg, Kan. to take on the Pittsburg State Gorillas on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 25-26 for a pair of doubleheaders. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. on Sunday.

Game 1
Courtney Clayberg picked up her first win in the circle on Sunday, and got plenty of run support in the process against the Nebraska-Kearney Lopers. Upper Iowa got started on offense right away, with Sammy Garrett reaching on an error to lead off the bottom of the first inning. Two batters later, Tara Walls picked up an RBI-double to put the Peacocks on the board. After a groundout, Julia Buffington stepped up and hit a ground ball to short. UNK made a defensive error on the throw, allowing Walls to score to give UIU a 2-0 lead after one.

Upper Iowa exploded at the plate, putting together their best offensive inning in the third frame. Walls singled to lead it off, and two batters later Buffington hit a two-run home run to put the Peacocks up 4-0. The UIU second baseman launched the first long ball of her career, and the route was on.

With two outs and the bases empty, the Peacocks went back to work. Shannon Nix drew a walk, and Riley Kruel followed with a single to put runners at first and second. Freshman Jordyn Brennan roped an RBI-single to add another run, and Kruel advanced to third in the process to put runners at the corners. With Garrett at the plate, Brennan stole second, and on the throw down, Kruel advanced home to give UIU a 6-0 advantage. Garrett doubled moments later to score Brennan and complete the five-run inning, with three runs coming with two outs.

In the top of the fourth, Macey Nelson laced an RBI-single to get Nebraska-Kearney on the board, but because of an error earlier in the inning, the run was unearned for Clayberg. The Lopers would add a run in the sixth off an RBI-single, and followed with a solo home run in the seventh to make it interesting. But the Peacock right-hander was in control for the majority of the game to earn the win.

The sophomore pitcher allowed two earned runs while scattering seven hits in the complete game effort. Clayberg struck out two and walked four on the day. Garrett led the Peacocks at the plate, going 3-4 with an RBI and a run scored in the leadoff spot. Walls went 2-4 with an RBI and two runs scored, and Kruel reached twice in three at-bats and scored a run as well.


Game Two
The Weevils from the host Arkansas-Monticello were hitting on all cylinders at the plate in game two on Sunday, and it started right away in the bottom of the first off Peacock pitcher Emily Kisch. UAM's Kendra Coleman launched a two-run shot to take a 2-0 lead after one.

Kaylee Freeman added a solo home run in the second inning to give the hosts a 3-0 lead, and after a scoreless third frame, put together a five-run fourth to open up the game. An RBI-single, a sacrifice fly, an RBI-double, and a bases-loaded walk highlighted the big inning for the Weevils, and UAM was able to end it in the fifth inning. Upper Iowa was held to just 3 hits in 18 at-bats in game two.

Kisch took the loss for UIU, allowing eight earned runs in 3.2 innings. Clayberg came in to get the final out of the fourth inning.