THIS WEEK IN PEACOCK SOFTBALL… The Upper Iowa University softball team is set to host their first softball games at Eischeid Softball Complex since April 28, 2019 as they open their NSIC schedule in Fayette, Iowa. The Peacocks welcome the #15 Warriors of Winona State University on Tuesday, Mar. 30 for a doubleheader that is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. Upper Iowa will then welcome the Wolves of Northern State University for a 1 p.m. doubleheader on Friday, Apr. 2 before hosting the Dragons of Minnesota State University Moorhead on Saturday, Apr. 3 for a doubleheader at 12 p.m.

ATTENDANCE POLICY & LIVE OPTIONS… UIU Athletics will not restrict fan attendance for the games at Eischeid Softball Complex this week. Spectators will not be allowed on the field of play, on the team sidelines, or in the team dugouts any time before, during, or following competitions. In addition, fans will be asked to follow the guidelines set by Upper Iowa Athletics, and these can be found on UIUPeacocks.com. Live stats and a webcast will be available through the links at UIUPeacocks.com/Live and included on story. The games will also stream live on the new NSIC Network app through Roku and Fire devices, as well as Apple and Android TV. Search for "NSIC Network" to find the app on your relevant device. Locally, both games of the doubleheader will be broadcast on KCRG-TV 9.3.

LAST AT BAT… The Peacocks secured a 3-2 victory over Northwest Missouri in their first of four games as part of the Missouri Western Hy-Vee Classic to open their final weekend of non-conference play. Following their win, UIU fell in their final three games of the tournament. The Peacocks fell by a score of 5-1 in their matchup against #9 Rogers State, lost by a score of 10-9 in an extra-innings battle in walk-off fashion against Missouri Southern, and ended the weekend with a 4-0 defeat at the hands of their tournament hosts, Missouri Western.

PACING THE PEACOCKS… Leadoff hitter Kaylee Frenette leads Upper Iowa in batting average (.381) and on-base percentage (.458) at the top of the lineup. Frenette has team-highs of 16 hits, 8 runs, 6 walks, 2 stolen bases (2-2), and one triple. Katie Crogan provides power to the Peacocks with team-highs of 8 runs batted in, 6 doubles, and 3 home runs. Crogan is hitting .350 on the season with 14 hits to go along with a .381 on-base percentage while leading the team in slugging percentage (.725) and on-base plus slugging (OPS, 1.106). Amanda Williams hit 5-13 (.385) during the Hy-Vee Classic and finished with 5 RBI, 2 runs, one home run, and one double. Williams is hitting .282 on the season with 11 hits, 6 RBI, 2 doubles, and one home run. Abby McKay has paced the Peacock pitchers with 3 wins, 5 complete games, 48 strikeouts, and a .273 opponent batting average while recording an ERA of 3.61. McKay's 48 strikeouts rank fifth in the NSIC.

SOUTING THE WARRIORS... #15 Winona State University enters the week of their matchup against the Peacocks tied for the best record in the NSIC at 11-2. The Warriors opened their season on a nine-game winning streak, but are just 2-2 in their last four games. The WSU offense is hitting .308 as a team with 110 hits, 89 runs (6.8 per game), 81 RBI, 23 doubles, three triples, and seven home runs. The Warrior pitching staff has been elite with a 1.62 ERA and 103 strikeouts while allowing opponents to hit just .197. 

SOUTING THE WOLVES... Northern State University compiled a 9-5 record in non-conference play and was on a three-game winning streak before dropping their last game prior to NSIC play. On offense, the Wolves hit .302 as a team with 108 hits, 59 runs (4.2 per game), 57 RBI, 20 doubles, one triple, and 16 home runs. Northern State's pitchers have recorded a 3.46 ERA and 116 strikeouts while allowing a .253 batting average to opponents. Northern State is scheduled to play a doubleheader against MSU Moorhead prior to their matchup with Upper Iowa. 

SOUTING THE DRAGONS... Minnesota State University Moorhead is sitting at a 2-12 record on the year and has dropped 12 straight following two wins to open their season. Offensively, the Dragons are hitting .227 as a team with 79 hits, 38 runs (2.7 per game), 32 RBI, 15 doubles, and one home run. The MSU Moorhead pitching staff has an ERA of 7.64, has recorded 41 strikeouts, and allows opposing batters to hit .353. The Dragons are scheduled to play doubleheaders against Northern State and Winona State in advance of their doubleheader against the Peacocks.