The Upper Iowa softball team was swept by Augustana University, who is currently ranked No. 14 in NCAA Division II and No. 3 in NCAA Central Region Rankings, on Wednesday evening in Sioux Falls, S.D. The Peacocks were held to just five hits and one run between the games while the Vikings tallied up 16 runs on 24 hits in 8-0 and 8-1 home victories. Upper Iowa fell to 21-20 (13-13 NSIC) with the two losses while Augustana extended its win streak to 12 games and improved to 44-7 (24-2 NSIC).
Katie Crogan led the Peacocks with one hit and an RBI while Erin Drahozal, Sami Kay Shafranski, Payton Kastenschmidt and Jenny Budds all registered one hit.
The Peacocks will return home to face Minot State University and the University of Mary in the final weekend of regular season action. Upper Iowa is currently scheduled to face the Beavers on Saturday and the Marauders on Sunday for Senior Day, but the high chance of weekend rain showers throughout the Midwest may affect the schedule. Fans are encouraged to check UIUPeacocks.com later this week for updates.
Game One: Augustana 8, Upper Iowa 0 (5)
Augustana put the pressure on the Peacocks early in game one but a solid effort by the visiting team left six Vikings stranded between the first and second innings while only giving up one run on four hits, a pair of walks and a hit batter.
While the Peacocks struggled to find offensive rhythm, the Vikings extended their lead to 2-0 in the third with a sacrifice fly before adding three more runs in the next inning with a three-run home run by Maggie Kadrlik.
The Peacocks got just their second and third baserunners on in the top of the fifth thanks to a single from Drahozal and a walk issued to Julia Buffington, but UIU wasn't able to capitalize on the situation as the inning ended with a pop up to the outfield. The Vikings went on to score three runs on four hits and an error to secure an 8-0 victory in the home half of the inning.
Emily Kisch (11-8) took the loss after allowing five runs on 11 hits in 4.0 innings of work. Drahozal came on in relief in the fifth inning and gave up three runs, two earned, on four hits and a walk before the inning was cut short due to run-rule.
Ashley Michschl (21-4) tossed all 5.0 innings and held the Peacocks to just one hit while striking out three batters and walking one.
Game Two: Augustana 8, Upper Iowa 1
The Vikings used a trio of crooked numbers to secure the sweep with an 8-1 victory in game two, scoring three times in the second and sixth innings around a two-run fifth.
Augustana's runs were highlighted by three long balls. The first came in the second inning off the bat of Maggie Dunnett who launched a shot over the left field fence to give AU a quick 3-0 lead. The Vikings later had two more solo shots in the sixth inning including Kadrlik's second homer of the day.
The Peacocks prevented their third straight shutout in the top of the sixth inning when Shafranski scored on Crogan's single to right center after reaching on a single up the middle and advancing to second on a wild pitch. Drahozal also got to first in the frame with a fielder's choice, extending her reached base streak to 20 games.
Jaclyn Thompson (4-7) received the loss in the circle, allowing five runs on six hits while striking out two and walking four. Sydney Wilcox pitched the final inning for UIU and surrendered three runs on three hits.
Amber Elliott (14-3) earned the win after holding the Peacocks to just two hits in the first 5.0 innings of the game while striking out four batters. Olivia Walters allowed UIU's lone run of the day in her 2.0 innings of relief.
