Upper Iowa came up on the short end of a pair of close losses in Mankato, Minn. against the first-place Mavericks of Minnesota State University, Mankato. The Mavericks scored three runs late in game one to break a tie and win game one 5-2 and then edged the Peacocks in game two by a 2-1 score. MSU improves to 24-7 overall and 14-2 in the NSIC, while UIU falls to 11-19 overall and 7-12 in the conference.
In game one, the Peacocks opened the game with two runs on four hits highlighted by RBI-singles from
Victor Plaz and
Brock Zimmer. The Peacocks threat in the opening frame ended with a double play that came with the bases loaded. Minnesota State didn't waste any time getting the two runs back in the bottom of the first on three hits and a walk.
Both pitchers settled down after the first inning and didn't allow a base runner in the second. The run of scoreless innings held until the bottom of the sixth, but both teams had to work out of jams to keep the game tied at 2-all.
In the fourth, the Mavericks had runners on the corners with one out, but
Sam Marhefke closed down the rally with a pair of ground outs that included an out at home plate.
In the sixth, the Peacocks got a runner to second with two outs, but a deep fly ball to right ended the threat.
Minnesota State broke through for three runs, two were unearned, in the bottom of the sixth on a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded and then an error extended the inning allowing the fourth and fifth runs to score.
Upper Iowa got the tying run to the plate in the seventh inning thanks to a fielding error and a single, but a grounder ended the rally as MSU secured the 5-2 win.
Bryce Hall had three of UIU's six hits and scored a run.
Marhefke (0-2) suffered the loss in relief going 2.2 innings and allowing three runs, only one was earned, on four hits with two strikeouts.
Colin Lacey took a no-decision after 3.1 innings; he allowed two runs on five hits with a pair of strikeouts.
Louis Magers (2-0) picked up the win going 6.0 innings allowing two runs on five hits, four of which came in the opening inning. Jack Zigan earned the save throwing the seventh allowing just one hit.
The Mavericks scored game two's first run in the bottom of the fourth inning on a bases loaded walk with one out, but reliever
Isaiah Maes got the final two outs with a strikeout and a ground out to get out of the jam. MSU added their second run in the bottom of the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly after a pair of hits to open the inning.
In between the runs for the home team, the Peacocks had runners on second and third with just one out, but a strike out and pop up on the infield left a pair of base runners from scoring. In the sixth,
Cael Luzum tripled with one out, but a strike out and ground out left stranded Luzum 90 feet from home.
In the seventh, the Peacocks broke through when
James Coffindaffer singled to left center field with runners on second and third with one out to plate one run but was caught at second base trying to extend his hit into a double.
Upper Iowa got the tying run on base in the top of the ninth when
Kyle Hrncir was hit by a pitch with one out, but a strike out and a foul fly ball ended the game with the Mavericks grabbing the 2-1 win.
Ryan Hull had two of UIU's five hits in the game including a double.
Gabe Olson (0-1) took the loss despite throwing a solid 3.1 innings; he allowed one run on three hits with three strikeouts. Maes threw well in relief going 3.1 innings and giving up one run on four hits with a strikeout.
Yahiro Taesei (4-0) scored the win with 6.1 innings of work; he allowed one run on four hits while punching out 11 Peacock batters. Zigan picked up his second save of the day with 2.2 scoreless innings giving up just one hit.
UIU will return home for a three-game series against Wayne State College on Friday and Saturday, Apr. 14-15. The WSC series moved up a day to avoid weather forecasted for late Saturday into Sunday. The Peacocks and Wildcats will get together for a pair of games on Friday and one on Saturday; first pitch for both days is scheduled for 12 p.m.
