The Upper Iowa softball team picked up a Northern Sun Conference split on Saturday at the Eischeid Softball Complex against the Minot State Beavers. In a pivotal doubleheader, it was the Peacocks who were able to jump way ahead in game one, leading 7-1 heading into the top of the seventh. However, Minot State would score 5 runs in the inning and send 10 batters to the plate to make a ferocious comeback that fell just short. In game two, UIU tied the game late to send it to extras, but a two-run eighth inning propelled the visitors to earn a split on the afternoon. With the twin bill split, Upper Iowa is now 17-27 on the season and 9-13 in the NSIC, while Minot State sits at 20-15 and 12-10 in league play.

The Peacocks will honor their five seniors on Sunday against the University of Mary in between games of the doubleheader. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 11 a.m. to round out the weekend. The games will be available online on UIU TV and in eastern Iowa on KCRG TV 9.3.

GAME ONE: UIU 7, MSU 6
UIU jumped out to a big lead in game one, thanks to constant traffic on the base paths. However, both teams would make it a theme of leaving runners on base. It was Minot State that drew first blood, striking with a run in the first inning off Peacock starter Erin Drahozal. The Peacocks answered with a run in the bottom half of the inning when Riley Kruel scored on a wild pitch. Kruel's run would be the spark of a big offensive day for the senior shortstop. In the second inning, Kruel game UIU its first lead with an rbi-single up the middle with two outs in the frame.

In the fourth inning, the chaos began. Kruel reached on an error by the Minot State pitcher to plate a run, and then used outstanding base running to help her teammates score. Kruel got trapped in a rundown between first and second, and teammate Julia Buffington tried to score from third in the process. The throw to the plate was wide, and Kruel was able to advance to third on the play. UIU led 4-1 at that point, until the next batter Sami Kay Shafranski ripped a run-scoring single to score Kruel. All three runs in the inning were unearned, but the home team held a commanding lead.

Katie Sammons plated Jenny Budds with an rbi-double in the sixth to stretch the lead to 6-1, and Kruel would reach on a fielder's choice a few batters later to plate Sammons. The Peacock lead was 7-1, and Drahozal was headed back out to the pitching circle in the seventh.

The Beavers began their comeback right away in the seventh inning. Back-to-back singles was followed by back-to-back walks to plate a run with no one out, and Minot State was not done. After a hit-by-pitch to score another, Emily Kisch took over at that point for Drahozal. The freshman in relief allowed a single to score another and cut the lead to 7-4. After a walk to make it 7-5, Upper Iowa was still looking for the first out of the inning after seven consecutive batters. Kisch worked a strikeout for out number one, and then a sacrifice fly to right score another, but gave UIU a big second out. Kisch worked a strikeout to end the threat, but not before 10 batters batted in the inning, and MSU totaled 5 runs on 3 hits. Upper Iowa held on for the win in a big game for the Peacocks.

Drahozal earned the win despite allowing five earned in six innings. The sophomore allowed nine hits and walked five, but did enough to earn the win with Kisch picking up her first save of the season.

Kruel, Sammons, and Shannon Nix led the way at the plate with two hits apiece for the Peacocks. UIU left four runners on base in game one, while MSU stranded 13 for the game.

GAME TWO: MSU 4 - UIU 2
Game two was much more basic compared to the opener of the doubleheader, but it was just as interesting. The Peacocks once again trailed early behind starter Courtney Clayberg, facing a 2-0 deficit heading to the bottom of the third inning. Kruel picked up another hit and rbi in the inning to plate Julia Buffington, and UIU was on the board. However, Beaver Clarissa Ramirez kept UIU off balance all game.

In the home half of the sixth inning, freshman Jordyn Brennan laid a bunt down with a runner at third. The runner, Tara Walls, read the squeeze perfectly and slid under the tag to score to tie the game late. After a scoreless seventh, Minot State rallied with a pair in the eighth inning to lead 4-2. Upper Iowa's comeback fell short, despite getting two runners on base with no outs. Jenn Spencer came in for relief for MSU in the circle, and became the winning pitcher after pitching in extra innings. Kisch, who once again came in for relief, took the loss for the Peacocks.

Kruel and Walls had two more hits in game two, while five Peacocks each registered a base knock as well. Clayberg took the loss after pitching 6.1 innings of work.