The Peacock softball team opened the 2020 campaign against some tough competition at the Alvy Early Memorial Classic in Bentonville, Ark. Upper Iowa first faced Washburn University in a game that was sent to extra innings after the Ichabods rallied behind a two-run seventh. The Peacocks scored a pair of runs to claim a 5-4 edge in the top of the ninth, but Washburn had one last rally and was able to earn the 6-5 walk-off victory. Upper Iowa then faced Southern Arkansas University, who was ranked No. 14 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Preseason Poll, but fell 23-2 in five innings.

"When coming to Arkansas we knew that we would be facing tough competition. It helps us for our conference and also allows us to make adjustments as we go. We left a lot of base runners on in both games and we know how to improve that and execute for tomorrow. It will be another tough day, but we are ready to get after it again." -Head Coach Ashley Hickman

The Peacocks will round out their time in Arkansas with two more non-conference matches against Southeastern Oklahoma State University at 10 a.m. and No. 23 Arkansas Tech University at noon.

• Ali Green led the team with three hits, two RBI, and two runs scored
• Katie Crogan finished with a pair of hits and one run scored
• Kaitlyn Carlson drove in two runs in her first game as a Peacock

Washburn 6, Upper Iowa 5 (9 Innings)

The two teams battled to a scoreless draw in the first three innings that saw both teams leave five runners on base; Washburn collected five hits during that span, while Upper Iowa's runners reached via two hits, a walk, and an error. The Peacocks eventually broke the tie in the fourth inning when Amanda Williams scored on Jordyn Brennan's double to center field.

After the Ichabods were able to answer with a sacrifice fly in the bottom half of the fourth, Upper Iowa got right back out in front in the fifth thanks to a pair of runs on two hits. Katie Crogan started the frame with a single to third and was later joined on-base by Samantha Jessie who reached on a fielder's choice. Ali Green brought both runners home with a single the next at-bat, but back-to-back outs would send Upper Iowa to the dugout without any more damage.

Trailing 3-1, Washburn was able to tie the score once more in the bottom of the seventh on a two-run single with nobody out. The Peacocks didn't allow the Ichabods to score anymore, though, as a line drive to Brennan at third followed by a double play halted the comeback and sent the game to extra innings.

The teams each traded a run in the eighth to put the score at 4-4. With Green starting on second thanks to non-conference rules, Upper Iowa was able to score off a single to center field by Sara Jessie. Kaitlyn Carlson reached base via walk to place two on board for the Peacocks, but Washburn shut the door with a double play of its own. The Ichabods then took advantage of two UIU errors to send the game to another frame.

In the ninth, Emily Draeger advanced Brennan to third with a sacrifice bunt before the junior would cross the home plate on the next play thanks to a fielding error. Washburn would also take advantage of a fielding error in the ninth, however Upper Iowa's proved to be more costly as the Icahbods were able to score two on a miscue in the outfield for the walk-off victory. 

Southern Arkansas 23, Upper Iowa 2 (5 Innings)

Southern Arkansas took advantage of two hits and an error in the bottom of the first to jump out to a quick 5-0 lead. Upper Iowa then cut the deficit to four when Payton Kastenschmidt scored on a sacrifice fly after reaching on a walk and advancing around the bases thanks to Green's second hit of the day and a walk issued to Amanda Williams that loaded the bases. 

The Muleriders responded with nine runs on seven hits between the second and third innings to move out in front 14-1. The Peacocks added a score in the top of the fourth when Green rounded out home on a bases-loaded walk, but Southern Arkansas added another nine runs in the bottom half to set the final score at 23-2.