Upper Iowa dropped a pair of non-conference games on Saturday. The Peacocks fell to Missouri University of Science and Technology 7-2 in game one and 13-7 in game two. With the losses, UIU moves to 1-5 on the year. Colin Lacey and Blake Thiesse combined for 12 strikeouts over the two games. Seven different Peacocks scored in game two.
Upper Iowa will return to the diamond on Sunday, March 1 for a second doubleheader against Missouri S&T.
Game One: Missouri S&T 7, Upper Iowa 2
Upper Iowa got on the scoreboard in the top of the first inning. A pair of singles from Kyle Routhieaux and Riley Braughton put runners on first and third before A.J. Freidrich drove in Routhieaux with a sacrifice fly. The Peacocks pushed their lead to 2-0 in the top of the second. Hogan Penny and Samuel Grushkin reached on back-to-back singles. Penny then stole third and scored on a subsequent throwing error.
Missouri S&T made it a 2-2 tie in the next frame. A walk prior to junior first baseman Michael Ward hitting a home run over the left-field fence eliminated the Miners' deficit. Missouri S&T loaded the bases in the fifth after a single split a pair of walks. A throwing error then allowed two runs to cross the plate before a bunt single scored another putting the Miners ahead 5-2 through five. Missouri S&T tacked on two more unanswered runs in the sixth after a trio of singles and a throwing error.
After the two-run first inning, the Peacocks were shut out for the final six innings resulting in the 7-2 defeat. Lacey was awarded the loss after giving up five runs, four earned on seven hits and four walks in 4.1 innings of work. Lacey tallied five strikeouts in his second start of the season. Grant Van Vert and Parker Kray also appeared in relief for the Peacocks. Leaders of the Upper Iowa lineup included: Braughton (2-3), Grushkin (2-3) and Routhieaux (2-4 and a run scored).
Game Two: Missouri S&T 13, Upper Iowa 7
The Peacocks got out to an early 4-0 lead in the top of the second inning. John Magnuson led off the inning with a single, Nolan Friedrichs followed with a double to right field before Cody Ryan reached on an error loading the bases. A sac fly off the bat of Steve Diderrich scored Magnuson prior to Jack Thode striking a double deep to left field bringing home Freidrichs and Ryan. Thode came around to score following an error and a balk to cap off the big inning.
Missouri S&T scored in the bottom of the second following a double, a wild pitch and an RBI single to cut their deficit down to 4-1. The Miners tacked on another in the fourth after a triple and an RBI single. Missouri S&T tied the game up at four in the bottom of the fifth following a double, an error, a single and a sac fly. The Miners scored three in the sixth, a trio of walks loaded the bases before a single to left scored two. The final run of the inning scored on a fielder's choice. The frame put Missouri S&T up 7-4 and marked the second consecutive time that the Miners tallied seven straight unanswered runs after the Peacocks took a first-inning lead.
Upper Iowa scored three runs in the top of the eighth to tie the game at seven. Conner Klostermann started the rally with a leadoff solo shot to left field. Friedrich and Penny walked back-to-back before Braughton singled up the middle scoring Friedrich. Penny then came around to score on a Grushkin groundout. The Miners regained the lead adding six more runs on five base hits in the bottom half of the inning to go ahead 13-7. Upper Iowa was unable to score in the top of ninth leading to the 13-7 defeat.
Drew Callon was awarded the loss after allowing three earned runs in 1.2 innings on the mound. Thiesse received his second no decision of the year, he allowed five earned runs, seven hits, and three walks in addition to striking out seven Miners in 5.0 innings of work. Friedrichs led the Upper Iowa lineup as he went 2-3.
