THIS WEEK IN PEACOCK SOFTBALL… Upper Iowa (14-13, 6-6 NSIC) is set to have a busy week on the road. The Peacocks will travel to Wayne State College in Wayne, Neb. for a Tuesday afternoon doubleheader before making their way to Bemidji, Minn. and Crookston, Minn. for weekend games against Bemidji State University and the University of Minnesota Crookston. UIU moved into the seventh spot in NSIC rankings after leveling its conference record at 6-6 with a 4-2 mark last week. All three doubleheaders will have live stats available while the weekend games will also have live video.

LATE-GAME MAGIC… In an effort to even their conference record at 6-6, the Peacocks brewed up some late-game magic to pull off a pair of dramatic victories last week. After falling 7-1 in the opener against Concordia-St. Paul, the Peacocks found themselves ahead 5-1 midway through the nightcap. The Golden Bears rallied in the fifth and sixth, though, to tie the game with only one frame to go. Upper Iowa responded well under pressure and put up four runs in the visitor half while keeping the CSP offense at bay to salvage the split with a 9-5 victory. The Peacocks also had some excitement in the weekend finale against Southwest Minnesota State University. UIU trailed 3-0 early on in game two but eventually tied the game at 5-all going into the sixth inning. The Mustangs were able to regain the advantage with a three-run sixth but Upper Iowa still had some fight and tied the game for the second time thanks to one run in the sixth and a two-run bomb from Katie Crogan in the seventh. After SMSU went up 9-8 with a solo home run in the top of the 8^th, Erin Drahozal made sure to keep the home team alive with a solo shot of her own. The Peacocks then put three runners on for Crogan who cleared the bases with a walk-off grand slam to secure a 13-9 win.   

DOUBLE ZERO IS DOUBLE TROUBLE… Erin Drahozal (#00) played a key role in Upper Iowa going 4-2 last week both at the plate and in the circle. The senior finished the week with a .500 batting average, .526 on base percentage and nine hits, all team-highs. Drahozal was also second-best with six RBI, 15 total bases, two home runs, and a .833 slugging percentage. She led the team with three hits against CSP, slugged 1.200 with a home run and five RBI against USF, and had an outstanding performance against SMSU highlighted by scoring the tying run in extra innings and a 1.50 ERA in the circle.

ABOUT THE WILDCATS… Wayne State (9-20, 0-12 NSIC) is currently on a 14-game skid that dates back to March 21 at the Emporia State Classic. The Wildcats haven't been able to find their rhythm against conference opponents this season as they have been outscored 115-26 over the first two weeks of action with three shutouts and four games shortened by run-rule. The Wildcats are batting .274 as a team with 200 hits, 103 runs scored, 93 RBI, 25 doubles, two triples and 12 homeruns. The WSC pitching squad holds a 6.05 ERA.

ABOUT THE BEAVERS… Bemidji State (22-14, 5-7 NSIC) went 2-4 last week with splits against Northern State University and Minnesota State University Moorhead after falling twice to St. Cloud State. BSU has one conference sweep this season as the Beavers took two from UMC on Mar. 27. The Beavers are hitting .295 as a unit with 291 hits, 209 runs scored, 183 RBI, 63 doubles, 13 triples and 18 homeruns. The BSU pitching staff posts a 2.97 ERA with 182 strikeouts and 61 walks. Bemidji State is set to face Minot State University on Wednesday.

ABOUT THE GOLDEN EAGLES… Minnesota Crookston (13-23, 2-10 NSIC) earned a split with Northern State on Saturday after being swept by the University of Minnesota Duluth and MSU Moorhead earlier in the week. UMC's other split came against USF with a 1-0 victory on Mar. 31. The Golden Eagles are hitting .268 as a team with 259 hits, 126 runs scored, 116 RBI, 47 doubles, three triples and 16 homeruns. The UMC pitching staff holds a 4.30 ERA. The Golden Eagles are scheduled to face the University of Mary and Winona State prior to the DH with Upper Iowa.

UP NEXT… The Peacocks will play all three of their NSIC doubleheaders in the friendly confines of Eischeid Softball Complex. UIU will host Minnesota State University – Mankato for a mid-week matchup before welcoming St. Cloud State and Minnesota Duluth to Fayette over the weekend.