Upper Iowa softball closed up a week full of games in proper style, with a win. They hosted Bemidji State University and earned themselves a split, dropping the first game 5-1 and then regrouping to pick up game two, 6-4. The Peacocks now sit at an overall record of 13-16 and a 5-6 mark in the NSIC, while the Beavers are 13-14 on the season and 2-3 in conference.

The Peacocks struggled offensively in game one as they were not able to make it on base until the bottom of the fifth inning. UIU started getting into more of a rhythm at the plate in the last couple innings as the game was nearing the end, but they were unable to catch up to BSU.  In game two, the long-ball heroics continued for UIU as they smacked another home run late in the contest in order to pull ahead and keep the lead to seal the victory, seizing a split for  the day.

Bemidji State's pitcher was on track to throw a perfect game until the fifth inning. Behind her performance on the mound, their offense registered five runs from nine hits, including two home runs.

The Beavers got to work right away, bringing a runner home on a fielder's choice play in the first inning. They increased their lead in the third inning after a two-run homer, giving them the 3-0 advantage. BSU added onto their lead yet again in the fourth inning after hitting a double that ricocheted off the outfield fence, scoring one run. 

Taylor Sedam finally broke the Peacocks' hitless streak in the fifth inning after connecting on one and sending it to left center for a base hit. VanMilligan kept things going as she recorded a double off the centerfield fence. The runners on second and third were left stranded at the end of the inning.

When the Peacocks came back to the plate in the sixth inning, Ari Charles continued the hit trend with a double to left field in an attempt to get the offense going. Sam Jessie walked for the team's first time in the outing to put runners at first and second. Laila Pelds RBI single brought Charles across the plate and gave the Peacocks one run on the scoreboard. 

Down 5-1 in the bottom of the seventh, Upper Iowa flew out twice before bringing up Alli Schaffer to the plate. She singled to right center in hopes of getting the Peacocks back into the game, but the third out was converted on the next batter and BSU claimed their victory.

Rylee McGonigle was in the circle for seven innings of work, as she surrendered five runs on nine hits. In the field behind her, Rae VanMilligan recorded seven putouts to help keep the defense in prime shape. 

Just like game one, the Beavers put themselves on the scoreboard right off the bat in the first inning. They scored their first run after two wild pitches moved a runner to third and a hit right up the middle sent them across the plate.

The Beaver defense made it challenging for batters as they executed several diving plays, keeping the Peacocks off the base path. Kylie Doty recorded the first hit of this game in the bottom of the third inning, but was left stranded, unable to be brought around. 

Bemidji State hit another home run on the day, this time only scoring one run, but bringing their lead to 2-0 at the top of the fourth. However, the bottom of the inning was a change of momentum for the Peacocks. Serah Shafer started things off by getting on base with a bunt. After Jessie walked, Sedam came up and smacked one to left center, bringing in Shafer for their first run of the game. With runners on first and second, Doty singled to left field and brought in two for the Peacocks to take their first lead of the day, 3-2. To top things off, Schaffer hit a single to right field to bring around another for a 4-2 lead to end the inning.

BSU responded in the fifth inning by scoring on a sacrifice fly. They added onto that in the sixth inning by hitting a home run to tie everything up at four runs apiece.

In the bottom of the sixth, Sedam kicked things off by cracking a double left field. Just as the  Peacocks have done all week, they are propelled to victory with a long-ball over the fence, this time by VanMilligan. Her two-run shot credited her with RBI number 22 and 23 for the season. Upper Iowa kept their 6-4 lead as the defense was able to execute three outs in the top of the seventh inning without allowing any runs.

Delaney Vetter was on the mound for UIU, as she went all seven innings, allowing six hits and four runs while sitting down seven batters. 

The Peacocks tallied nine hits in the second game. Sedam, Doty and Schaffer each recorded two hits to lead the team.

The Peacocks have a slew of road games in Minnesota next week, beginning with Minnesota State on Tuesday, April 11 at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. UIU then travels to Minnesota Duluth on Saturday, April 15 for games scheduled at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. They round out their week of play at St. Cloud State on Sunday, April 16 with two contests scheduled for 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.