Upper Iowa dropped a pair of ball games in their home openers by counts of 3-2 and 4-2. The Peacocks had the tying run on the bases during the last at bats, but couldn't find the big hit to knot the score in either game. The losses dropped UIU's record to 2-14 overall and 0-5 in the Northern Sun Conference, while Northern State University moved to 8-9 overall and 3-1 in the conference.
UIU's pitching staff threw well allowing seven runs in their 16 innings on the hill and recording thirteen strikeouts while giving up 17 hits. At the plate, the Peacocks left 21 runners on base in the two games after collecting 13 hits, six walks and six hit batters against the Wovles' pitchers.
Both UIU's
Jarrett Ramer and NSU's Brian Baker controlled the game from the mound allowing just eight total hits in the opener. Ramer (0-4) suffered the loss going 6.1 innings and allowing three runs on three hits while striking out six Wolves. Baker (2-1) picked up the win going 6.1 innings and surrendering two runs on three hits while striking out seven Peacocks. Mike Stubbs recorded the final two outs and got out of a bases loaded jam with one out in the seventh to earn his first save of the season.
The Peacocks scored a run in the first inning after the first two batters reached on a hit batsman and a walk. With one out,
Ethan Sawyer sent
Jake Hilmer home from second base with a single over the second baseman's head.
UIU threatened to add more in the second and fourth innings with runners in scoring position with two outs, but a pair of fly balls ended each threat and kept the margin set at 1-0.
In the top of the sixth inning, the Wolves opened the frame with a walk and then a double on a ball that was lost in the sun set up the visitors with runners on second and third with one out. NSU's Jack Paulson jumped on a fastball and sent it over the fence in left to put his team up 3-1.
Upper Iowa came to the plate for their final at bats and got runners on first and second with one out after
Tanner Stein was hit by a pitch and Hilmer got on with a bunt single. Nicholas Vite doubled to the left field corner to plate Stein and put the tying and winning runs on second and third. The Wolves loaded the bases with an intentional walk and then recorded the final two outs on an infield fly and a flyball to right to preserve the lead and win 3-2.
The strong pitching continued into game two with both starting pitchers holding the offenses from scratching the scoreboard until NSU got a run in the top of the fifth. Ramon Vega Jr. hit a double off the wall in left and came around to score on a single by Karson Hesser.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Peacocks got runners to second and third after a Sawyer walk and a hit by
Kainoa Torres with one out.
Tanner Stein drove in a run with a groundball and
Samuel Grushkin singled through the left side to add a second run for UIU. With two outs, the Peacocks loaded the bases with a walk, but a grounder ended the threat.
The Wolves quickly answered the two runs with two of their own in the seventh inning. A home run by Vega Jr. and a triple to right center by Hesser highlighted the inning that saw Northern State reestablish their one-run lead 3-2.
Northern State added an unearned run with a pair of hits in the top of the eighth to add insurance to their lead.
Trailing 4-2 in the bottom of the eighth,
Tanner Stein opened the inning with a double down the left field line, but a pair of strikeouts and a flyball retired the side and left the Peacock down two runs.
Upper Iowa had runners on first and second base in the ninth with one out after a single, wild pitch and walk placing the tying run on the base paths in their final at bats for the second straight game. After a rough start, Mitchell Tolk buckled down on the mound and got a strikeout and fly out to end the threat and earn a save.
Keaton Parker (0-4) took the loss allowing three runs in 6.1 innings on seven hits with five strikeouts.
Grant Ver Voort pitched 2.2 innings in relief and allowed an unearned run.
Michael Chevalier (1-0) scored the win allowing two runs on five hits over his 6.0 innings while striking out seven Peacocks. Christian Mundt threw two innings of scoreless relief and Tolk earned the save in the ninth.
The Peacocks and Wolves will return to the diamond at Robertson Woods Field on Tuesday for the series finale. First pitch for the nine-inning affair is set for 12 p.m.
