The Upper Iowa University softball team opened the 2021 season at the Dome Invitational in Rosemont, Ill with tough games against the Lewis University Flyers and Quincy University Hawks. The Peacocks played their first game of the year against the Flyers in a contest where they were unable to convert on a couple of scoring opportunities and ultimately fell 8-0 in a game that went five innings due to run rule. The back end of their opening day double-header went better for the Peacocks, but the team lost a close game after the Hawks took a late lead in the 6th inning.
Lewis 8, Upper Iowa 0 (5 Innings)
The Peacocks started their opening game out strong with a leadoff single from
Kaylee Frenette in the top of the first inning. Frenette advanced to second on a groundout to put a runner in scoring position with two outs. The ensuing at-bat saw
Sara Jessie reach on an error by the shortstop and Frenette advance to third on the play, but Frenette was thrown out at the plate as she tried to grab an early run for the Peacocks.
After flying out and doubling in the bottom of the first, the Flyers took advantage of some UIU defensive miscues to put runners on second and third following a hit-by-pitch and a wild pitch. Upper Iowa got their second defensive out after a swinging strikeout, but Lewis would score on a wild pitch, work a walk, and score again on an error en route to a 2-0 lead that they would not relinquish.
Lewis built a 5-0 lead following a run in the second inning and two more in the third, but the Peacocks threatened in the top of the fourth by hitting a single and a double after recording two outs to put two runners in scoring position. Upper Iowa was unable to push across a run and the Flyers would go on to score one run in the bottom of the fourth inning and two more in the fifth to clinch the 8-0 victory.
Quincy 3, Upper Iowa 2
The Peacocks were down by one run after a long single drove in a Quincy run, but
Aubree Terris came up with a big defensive play to catch a runner stealing and record the inning-ending out. Pitcher
Abby McKay bounced back in a major way in the second inning as she recorded three strikeouts in just ten pitches to end the Hawk half of the inning.
After seeing the first six Upper Iowa batters go down in order, the Peacocks broke through in the top of the third as Frenette picked up an RBI single and pushed
Hannah Bridgewater across the plate to tie the score at one run apiece.
The score was knotted at 1-1 as McKay recorded two strikeouts in both the third and fourth frames, bringing her total to 8 through four innings.
The Peacocks answered the Hawks' score with a run of their own in the top of the sixth as
Katie Crogan scored
Kaitlyn Carlson.
Quincy scored off a double in the bottom of the sixth to take a one-run advantage for the third time. Frenette helped UIU limit the damage by making a great snag on a ball hit up the middle to end the inning. Upper Iowa could not tie it up in the top of the seventh, falling 3-2 in a hard-fought game against the Hawks.
UP NEXT... The Peacocks take the field again for another two-game set as part of the Dome Invitational on Feb. 19. Upper Iowa will face off against the Rangers of the University of Wisconsin-Parkside at 1:30 p.m. before ending their road trip in Rosemont, Ill. against the University of Findlay Oilers at 3:30 p.m.
