THIS WEEK IN PEACOCK SOFTBALL… The Upper Iowa University softball team is set to take on ten teams over a six-day stretch from Mar. 5-10 in Auburndale, Fla. for The Spring Games. UIU is scheduled to play Kentucky Wesleyan College and Stonehill College on Mar. 5, Nyack College and the University of the Sciences on Mar. 6, Lewis University and Edinboro University of Pennsylvania on Mar. 7, Walsh University (Ohio) and Shippensburg University on Mar. 9, and East Stroudsburg University and Chestnut Hill College on Mar. 10.

FOLLOWING THE ACTION... There are multiple options for fans to follow the Peacocks on the road. The @UIU_Softball Twitter account will have gameday updates before, during, and after the games as the team will be live-Tweeting the action. Fans can also follow @UIUPeacocks on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter and head to UIUPeacocks.com to get results as soon as they become available. Specific contests may have live stat and coverage options available, and UIUPeacocks.com/LIVE will link any live options.

IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE… Fans attending the games can purchase tickets to The Spring Games through the links on UIU's schedule page and included with this story. The tournament will be played at the Auburndale Softball Complex, Jan Phyl Village, Florida. Tickets are available at the gate for the duration of the event for $10 per person, per day, and are cash-only. Tickets are also available in advance, for a lesser rate, and with credit card through the ticketing links. There are no parking fees for the event.

LAST TIME IN PEACOCK SOFTBALL… The Peacocks went 2-2 in four games at the Dome Invitational, picking up their first wins of the season. UIU opened the tournament on Feb. 24 by going 0-2 against Saginaw Valley State University and Purdue University Northwest before sweeping day two on Feb. 25 against the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and Ursuline College. On day one, the Peacocks fell 2-1 in a nail-biting loss to SVSU after taking an early 1-0 lead, before going down 9-1 against PNW. On day two, the Peacocks picked up a 4-3 win over UWP as UIU struck first and last, made two comebacks, and stranded the tying run on third in the bottom of the seventh to secure the season's first victory. Upper Iowa won 10-3 in game two after flipping the script and erasing a two-run deficit with a seven-run fourth frame.

WHERE THERE'S A 'WIL,' THERE'S A WAY… Sydney Wilcox compiled the Peacocks' best pitching performances of the season in a trio of complete games at the Dome Invite. The senior went 2-1 with a 2.33 ERA and seven strikeouts across 21 innings. Wilcox pitched 14 consecutive innings in UIU's doubleheader sweep while allowing just five earned runs and picked up wins of 4-3 and 10-3 for the first Peacock victories of the season. The Shiocton, Wis. native threw a complete game against SVSU while giving up just two earned runs and striking out four in a 2-1 loss. Against Ursuline, Wilcox hit 1-4 (.250) and scored a run in UIU's 10-3 win as she gave an all-around effort in a complete game in the circle and the batter's box.

LUCKY NUMBER SEVEN… The Upper Iowa offense exploded against Ursuline to score seven in the top of the fourth inning. The Peacocks went three up, three on thanks to consecutive hits from Sara Jessie, Amelia Fitzgerald, and Katie Crogan. Jessie's single was followed by back-to-back RBI doubles from UIU's corner infielders to erase a 2-0 UIU deficit. The Peacocks got a run in the next at-bat after a groundout from Alli Schaffer moved Crogan to third before coming home on an error. A pitching change after a strikeout had the Peacocks looking at a two-out, nobody-on situation with a newfound 3-2 lead, but UIU was just getting started. Wilcox and Ari Charles hit consecutive singles before Samantha Jessie worked a walk to load the bases. Kaylee Frenette let the pitcher do the work with another walk to earn an RBI and put the Peacocks up 4-2, and Sara Jessie earned an RBI and pushed the lead to 5-2 after getting plunked in her second at-bat of the inning. A two-RBI single from Fitzgerald gave the freshman her second hit and second and third RBI of the frame, but she was thrown out trying to advance to second to end the seven-run UIU half-inning.

SCOUTING THE COMPETITION... Kentucky Wesleyan holds a 3-15 record and will play four more before facing UIU. The Panthers have been outscored 136 to 42. Stonehill College will open their season at The Spring Games and play once before facing UIU. The Skyhawks finished with a 5-24 record last season. Nyack College will open their season at The Spring Games and play twice before facing UIU. The Warriors compiled a 7-20 record last season. USciences is opening their season at The Spring Games and will play five times before seeing UIU. The Devils finished with a 10-16 record last season. Lewis University is 5-4 this season and will play four games before their matchup against UIU. The Flyers went 0-4 before going 5-0 and have outscored opponents 38-32. Edinboro University opens their 2022 season at The Spring Games and plays five times before facing UIU. The Fighting Scouts went 12-17 last season. Walsh (Ohio) will open their season at The Spring Games and play six times before seeing UIU. The Cavaliers compiled a 22-20 record last season. Shippensburg holds a 2-2 record and will play five games before facing UIU. The Raiders have outscored opponents 36-34, including a 22-14 win in their last game. East Stroudsburg has gone 4-0 this season and is scheduled for six games before seeing UIU. The Warriors have outscored their competition 25-18, including two five-inning wins. Chestnut Hill will open their season at The Spring Games and play nine times before facing UIU. The Griffins finished with a 3-27 mark last season.