THIS WEEKEND IN PEACOCK SOFTBALL…
Upper Iowa (1-5, 0-0 NSIC) returns to the field this weekend for a four-game set with the Pittburg State Gorillas on the road in Pittsburg, Kan. in non-conference action. The Peacocks will play a pair of doubleheaders with Pitt State, starting on Saturday, Feb. 25 at 2 p.m. The weekend wraps up Sunday, Feb. 26, with game one's first pitch scheduled for 11 a.m.
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| GAMES 7-10 |
| AT PITTSBURG STATE |
| SATURDAY, FEB. 25 Â || Â SUNDAY, FEB. 26 |
| 2 P.M. Â || Â 11 A.M. |
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PEACOCK STORYLINES...
OPENING WEEKEND: The Peacocks opened their 2017 season at the UAM 8-State Classic in Bentonville, Ark. Upper Iowa dropped the first four games, being outscored 19-10. UIU rebounded with a win over Nebraska-Kearney in game one of the final day of the tournament. The Peacocks put together a 10-hit, 7-run game highlighted by the first career home run from Julia Buffington. Sammy Garrett went 3-4 in that game, while Tara Walls and Riley Kruel each finished with 2 hits in the win. UIU then dropped the torunament finale to the hosts from Arkansas-Monticello.
HISTORIC CAMPAIGN: Upper Iowa shattered the school record for wins in a season with 41 in 2016, surpassing the previous record of 28. The Peacocks reached the NCAA regional final, falling to #7 Arkansas Tech, 1-0. UIU finished tied for second with a school-record 21 conference wins. The Peacocks qualified for the NCAA Central Region Tournament for the first time in program history after winning the NSIC Tournament, also a first.
NSIC PRESEASON POLL: The Peacocks were picked seventh in the 16-team league after accumulating 138 points in the NSIC preseason coaches poll. The defending NSIC regular season champions of Minnesota State were the unanimous pick to win the conference.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: A pair of Peacocks, outfielder Sammy Garrett and pitcher Courtney Clayberg, were named NSIC Players to Watch for the 2017 season. Garrett has played and started in 115 games in her career over her first three years with the Peacocks. The Ottumwa, Iowa native is a career .310 hitter with 90 hits in 290 at bats including 13 doubles and 6 homeruns, and was a Second Team All-NSIC performer a year ago.
RETURNERS: The Peacocks return six starters from last year's squad, including senior Riley Kruel, the NSIC's Gold Glove Award winner at shortstop last season. This year's squad also includes Katie Sammons, Tara Walls, Sami Kay Shafranski, and Erin Drahozal.
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ABOUT THE OPPONENT…
PITTBURG STATE: The Gorillas (11-5) took part in the UAM 8-State Classic last weekend in Bentonville, Ark., going 5-1 in the tournament. Pitt State was played in three tournaments this season, and now will have their home opener. The Gorillas outscored their opponents 27-15 in six games in Arkansas, including a 10-3 win over Wayne State College out of the Northern Sun Conference. The Gorillas are led by Kylie Guthier who is batting .333 on the year. Kala Holder leads the squad with 16 hits, while Guthier has totaled 4 homeruns and 13 runs batted in, both team highs.
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