The Peacock softball team capped their 2017 season on Sunday in Aberdeen, S.D. with a Northern Sun Conference doubleheader against the Northern State Wolves. Upper Iowa dropped game one 5-2 and trailed for the majority of game two, but a four-run seventh-inning rally sparked a comeback win to end the season on a high note. UIU earns the split and ends the season in 12th place in the league standings with an overall record of 19-33, and a final mark of 11-19 in the NSIC. Northern State finishes in the 10th spot in the standings with a record of 29-24-1 overall and 14-15-1 in league play. Both teams will miss the NSIC tournament, with UIU missing the post-season for the first time since 2012.

GAME ONE: NSU 5 - UIU 2
Northern State struck first in game one off UIU starter Emily Kisch. A double in the first inning scored the first run, but the offenses slowed down after that. Kisch settled in, not allowing another run until the fifth inning. NSU starter Jamie Fisher gave up 11 hits on the day to the Peacock offense, but did not allow a run until the sixth inning herself.

The Wolves broke the 1-0 game open in the bottom of the fifth frame, sending all nine batters to the plate. A pair of run-scoring singles book-ended a UIU error that scored three consecutive runs in the frame. A double that scored another run put the capper on the inning off Kisch, with three of the four runs earned. The visitors, trailing 5-0, finally broke through in the sixth.

Freshman Jordyn Brennan led off the inning with a base knock, and Shannon Nix followed with a single to put runners at first and second. After a fielder's choice to put runners on the corners, Julia Buffington scored a run on a sacrifice fly. Two batters later, Sami Kay Shafranski singled home a run to put two up on the board. However, the offense would not score another run as Northern State closed out Upper Iowa 5-2.

Kisch took the loss to end her freshman campaign at 8-15 in the circle. The Peacocks outhit the home team 11-7, but could not convert them into runs, and made two errors defensively as well. Shafranski's 3-4 day led UIU at the plate, while Brennan and Nix tallied two hits apiece as well.

GAME TWO: UIU 5 - NSU 4
The Wolves again jumped out to a 1-0 lead in game two, this time pushing across a run in the second inning. An rbi-single off Peacock starter Erin Drahozal gave Northern State the early advantage, but this time UIU had an aswer.

The Peacocks tied the game in the third inning when Sammy Garrett doubled to right center to plate Shafranski. The game was able to reset, but the home team once again put together a big inning to retake the lead. Jenna Helgeson laced a three-run home run in the third inning to give the home team a 4-1 lead, and it appeared Northern State would run away with a sweep. But this time, Upper Iowa was not done.

Neither team would score in the next three innings as Drahozal and NSU's Missy Elkins found a groove in the circle. And then, the comeback was on in the seventh. With one out and nobody on, Katie Sammons, Buffington, and Riley Kruel strung together three consecutive singles to load the bases. Shafranski stepped up and picked up an RBI on an infield hit to the shortstop to make it a 4-2 game. After a double switch, including a pitching change, the Peacocks continued their comeback.

Garrett wrapped up her Peacock career in a big way, clearing the bases with a double to plate three runs, giving UIU a 5-4 advantage. It was the first lead all day for Upper Iowa, and the fourth RBI of the day for Garrett. Northern State put the game-tying run on second base in the bottom of the inning with a two-out double, but Drahozal closed it out and picked up the win for the visitors.

Drahozal ends her season with a 7-10 record, after allowing four runs on 9 hits while striking out two. Garrett's two hits and four runs batted in were the highlight of the day at the plate for UIU, and four other Peacocks tallied a hit as well. Despite being outhit 9-6, the visitors were able to do just enough late for the comeback win.

The Peacocks end their season and say goodbye to five seniors, Kruel, Sammons, Garrett, Tara Walls, and Serenity Higgins. Upper Iowa will have spots to fill at shortstop and first base in the infield, as well as center field and right field in the outfield. UIU will bring back a lot of young talent, including soon-to-be sophomores Brennan and Ali Green, as well as Michaela Schumacher, who saw limited action in 2017. Buffington and Julia Budds highlight the sophomores-turned-juniors next season in the field, while Nix is expected to return behind the plate for her senior campaign. In the circle, Drahozal and Courtney Clayberg will be juniors next season, while Kisch will return for her sophomore season as well for Head Coach Amanda Bradberry.