The Peacocks were in action at Eischeid Softball complex on Monday for the second day in a row. They hosted the University of Sioux Falls in a double header and picked up one win on the day, earning a split with the Cougars. Upper Iowa struggled to get any offense going in the first game, as they only recorded four hits in the contest. They dug deep and found some synergy in the seventh inning, but it was not enough to combat the offensive output from the Cougars, as the Peacocks fell 7-2. The second game consisted of several lead changes, but it was Upper Iowa that pulled off the 5-4 victory after clawing back at the plate in the seventh inning and playing solid defense to seal their win.
After the pair of games, the Peacocks sit 10-14 on the season and 2-4 in the NSIC. The Cougars are now 11-12 overall with a 2-2 conference mark.
In the first game, Sioux Falls started things off with a run in the first and third inning, taking an early 2-0 lead over the Peacocks. The Peacock defense held the score at 2-0 until the 6th inning when things started to unravel. After three errors from the Peacock defense and five registered hits, the Cougars scored an additional five runs, bringing them to a 7-0 advantage.
The Peacocks retaliated in the top of the 7th as
Taylor Sedam reached on error and
Rae VanMilligan walked to put two runners at first and second. After two fielder's choice plays, runners were in scoring position at second and third. A double from
Hannah Bridgewater rallied the two baserunners home, bringing UIU to a five-run deficit. The third out in the inning was created and the score was final at 7-2, in favor of the Cougars.
Delaney Vetter was on the mound for the Peacocks, lasting three innings. She allowed three hits and two runs while sitting down three batters.
Rylee McGonigle threw just over two innings of relief out of the bullpen.
The second game remained scoreless until the fourth inning when the Peacocks registered three hits and brought around two runs after Bridgewater singled to center field and drove in two.
The Peacocks watched their lead slowly fade away as the Cougars notched one run in the fourth, fifth and sixth inning. USF held a 3-2 lead heading into the seventh, when the Peacocks put together an impressive all-around inning.
The magic began at the plate.
Serah Shafer reached first base after crushing a ball to left field and advanced to second base after a sacrifice bunt. She was set in scoring position as
Laila Pelds came up to bat and singled to center field, scoring Shafer.
Taylor Sedam stepped up to the plate and obliterated the ball over the left field fence, executing a two-run homer and giving the Peacocks the 5-3 lead.
Upper Iowa still had to compete three outs on defense to seal their victory. The Cougars had two on base with zero outs, when Vetter responded with two strikeouts. USF scored a run in a first and third situation as the catcher threw down to second base in hopes to get the runner out, but was unsuccessful.
With two outs, a one-run lead and a runner on second, it all came down to the final play. The next batter for the Cougars singled to left field and as the tying run was headed home,
Kylie Doty hurdled the ball from left field just in time for Sam Jessie to place the tag at the plate and seal UIU's 5-4 victory.
Abby Buckman started in the circle and threw four innings, allowing three hits and one earned run. Vetter pitched three innings of relief, allowing three hits and two earned runs.
Up next, the Peacocks host another double header with Wayne State on Wednesday at 2 p.m and 4 p.m. They welcome in Minnesota Crookston on Friday for two games at 2 p.m. 4 p.m, while Bemidji State comes to Fayette on Saturday for a pair of contests at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
