THIS WEEKEND IN PEACOCKS BASEBALL… Upper Iowa will play back-to-back doubleheaders against Missouri University of Science and Technology on Feb. 29 and Mar. 1 in Rolla, Mo. Both twin bills are set for an 11 a.m. first pitch for game one followed by a 2 p.m. start for game two. The 11 a.m. meetings in the four-game set will be seven-inning affairs while the 2 p.m. starts are set for nine innings. Live stats for all four games can be found at UIUPeacocks.com/LIVE.
STARTING OFF THE SEASON… The Peacocks began the 2020 campaign with a 6-5 win over Truman State University. Jason Katz picked up the win in relief, he gave up just one unearned run, two hits, and a walk while striking out three Bulldog batters in four innings of work. Blake Thiesse started the game and took the no-decision after five innings on the mound. Collin Meinert and Conner Klostermann highlighted the Peacock lineup. Meinert went 3-3 with two doubles and scored twice. Klostermann was 2-4 with a homerun, a double and two runs in his return to the diamond.
Following the opening win, Upper Iowa dropped three consecutive games to Pittsburg State University (15-4), Truman State (16-10) and Pitt State (13-8) a second time. The Peacocks continued to produce at the plate scoring 22 runs in the three ballgames. UIU's pitching staff and defense struggled, the Peacocks' opponents doubled Upper Iowa's run total as they had 44 runs cross the plate. The Peacocks walked 25 batters and committed nine errors in the trio of defeats. Some bright spots in the skid included Drew Callon's scoreless two-inning, four-strikeout relief outing in game two. Game three saw a 4-5 performance at the plate by A.J. Friedrich, seven strikeouts from Colin Lacey in a four-inning outing and Klostermann's second round-tripper of the season. In the final game of the weekend, Hogan Penny tallied five RBI, went 3-5 and was a home run shy of the cycle.
PEACOCK PRODUCTION… Upper Iowa posted a .304 batting average thanks to 42 hits, 15 of which were for extra bases in their first weekend of the season. UIU performed in the clutch, posting a .400 batting average with runners in scoring position and a .333 mark with two outs. The Peacocks' batting average ranks fifth in the NSIC, while their cumulative ERA (12.07) and fielding percentage (0.904) are league-lows.
Friedrich holds the highest batting average in the conference (.500, 7-14) over the first four games of the season. He is one of five Peacocks who rank in the top 25 in the category: Meinert (.455), Klostermann (.400), Riley Braughton (.375) and Penny (.364). Friedrich is also one of two Peacocks along with Steve Diderrich Jr. who have perfect fielding percentages with at least 15 chances accumulated. Klostermann's 1.100 slugging percentage is a league-best by .233.
SCOUTING THE MINERS… Missouri S&T is 1-7 this season. The Miners began the year with a 3-1 series loss against NSIC-member, Minot State University. Missouri S&T then suffered a four-game sweep at the hands of Davenport University. The Miners lineup is led by Aaron Berkhoff, Will Hayes, and Keegan Baxmeyer. The trio has combined for a .365 batting average, 23 hits, 15 runs, 14 walks and 12 RBI on the year. The Miners bullpen is highlighted by Blaine Dunbar, who has yet to allow a run in 3.2 innings of work. Missouri S&T's starters however, have all posted ERAs higher than 7.00. As a team, the Miners have posted a cumulative 8.70 ERA, while their opponents have registered a 4.80 rate through eight games.
