THIS WEEK IN PEACOCK SOFTBALL… Upper Iowa softball is scheduled for a trio of road doubleheaders against NSIC foes. UIU opens the road trip against Wayne State College at 12/2 p.m. in Wayne, Neb., on Wednesday, Apr. 6. The Peacocks are then set to make their way to Minnesota doubleheaders against Bemidji State University and the University of Minnesota Crookston. UIU is set to battle the Beavers in Bemidji, Minn. at 1/3 p.m. on Saturday, Apr. 9, before grappling with the Golden Eagles in Crookston, Minn. at 1/3 p.m. on Sunday, Apr. 10.

FOLLOWING THE ACTION... Live stats and webcasts for all games will be available through the links at UIUPeacocks.com/Live and included with this story. The games will also stream live on the new NSIC Network app through Roku and Fire devices and Apple and Android TV. Search for "NSIC Network" to find the app on your relevant device. Additionally, The @UIU_Softball Twitter account will have gameday updates before, during, and after the games as the team will be live-Tweeting the action.

LAST TIME IN PEACOCK SOFTBALL… The Peacocks went 1-2 to open their 2022 NSIC campaign at the Eischeid Softball Complex in Fayette, Iowa. Upper Iowa secured a 9-3 win over the University of Sioux Falls in its home opener on Apr. 3, but game two of the doubleheader was called off in the top of the fourth before it could be an official contest due to rain. On Apr. 4, Southwest Minnesota State University swept UIU with wins of 14-6 (5 Inn.) and 8-6 in a high-scoring doubleheader.

FITZ LIKE A GLOVE… Amelia Fitzgerald has fit in well with Upper Iowa in her freshman campaign. She hit 6-11 (.545) with seven RBI, three runs, two doubles, and one home run over UIU's three NSIC contests. Against SMSU, Fitzgerald went 4-7 (.571) with six RBI, two runs, a double, and a three-run home run while tallying a season-high four RBI thanks to a three-run homer and an RBI double in game one. The Crystal Lake, Ill. Native is tied for third in the NSIC with a .435 average and ranks third with 37 hits. She leads the Peacocks in hits and doubles (7) while ranking second in batting average, slugging percentage (.624), RBI (23), and home runs (3).

TAKING OFFENSE… This season, the Peacocks have been one of the NSIC's better offensive teams. UIU's 5.65 runs per game rank third behind No. 14 Augustana University (6.85) and Minot State University (5.87). Upper Iowa's 124 RBI rank fifth in the conference despite playing the second-fewest games. The Peacocks know how to get on base as the team's .297 batting average ranks sixth, and their .386 on-base percentage ranks third. Part of UIU's on-base equation is the team's propensity to get plunked, as their 31 hit-by-pitches lead the NSIC by 11 despite playing seven fewer games than the second-ranked team. Sara Jessie ranks second in NCAA DII with 14 HBP and leads DII in HBP per game with .61, while Hannah Bridgewater ranks third with .41 worn pitches per game. Katie Crogan has also bolstered the offense by batting in the second-most runs per game in DII (1.61), ranking 18th in batting average (.470), seventh in slugging percentage (.924), and hitting the 16th-most home runs per game (.35).

WITHERING THE WILDCATS… Wayne State holds a record of 4-23 (1-5 NSIC). The Wildcats were picked to finish 15th in the 2022 NSIC Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll after a 7-31 (4-22 NSIC) 2021 campaign. The WSC offense hits .241 with 160 hits, 76 runs (2.81/game), 65 RBI, 24 doubles, one triple, and eight home runs. Wildcat pitchers have compiled a 6.81 ERA and 114 strikeouts while allowing a .314 opponent batting average.

BESTING THE BEAVERS… Bemidji State is 7-17 (4-2 NSIC) and is scheduled to face Minot State before playing the Peacocks. The Beavers were voted to finish 12^th in the 2022 NSIC Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll after an 11-31 (7-21 NSIC) record in 2021. The BSU offense hits .252 with 160 hits, 85 runs (3.54/game), 80 RBI, 33 doubles, four triples, and eight home runs. Beaver pitchers have compiled a 4.37 ERA and 82 strikeouts while allowing a .307 opponent batting average.

GRAPPLING WITH THE GOLDEN EAGLES… Minnesota Crookston holds a 12-17 (3-1 NSIC) record and is set to face the University of Mary and Winona State University before seeing UIU. The Golden Eagles were tabbed to 16^th in the 2022 NSIC Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll after a 10-32 (6-22 NSIC) finish in 2021. The UMC offense hits .280 with 212 hits, 136 runs (4.69/game), 119 RBI, 45 doubles, four triples, and 14 home runs. Golden Eagle pitchers have compiled a 4.44 ERA and 105 strikeouts while allowing a .317 opponent batting average.