The Peacocks thrived at the Spring Games, picking up two wins in dominating fashion. UIU overpowered Thomas More in an 8-1 victory before adding their second win of the day over Southern New Hampshire by a score of 6-1.

Game One vs. Thomas More Saints
The Saints quickly got on the board with a single to center field, followed by an RBI single to second base. Ari Charles and Serah Shafer each singled to start the bottom of the first inning and McKenna Morris added a single to center field in the second. Abby Buckman threw consecutive strikeouts to end the second inning and she struck out two more batters swinging atop the third. She forced three quick outs at the top of the fifth inning, striking out the final batter to end the inning.
 
Hannah Bridgewater opened the bottom of the fifth with a single to shortstop and Morris added her second hit of the day before both players were able to advance to second and third. With one out, Charles hit a triple out to left field, which brought Bridgewater and Morris home to give Upper Iowa the lead. Charles has recorded six triples on the season and she is currently one triple away from tying a UIU school record that was set by Chyanne Kleve back in 2001. Shafer got on base after being walked and her and Charles were able to score on another triple, this time by Rae VanMilligan on a hit to center field. Laila Pelds and Taylor Sedam were each walked following the triple, which would load the bases with two outs. Bridgewater was hit by a pitch which brought VanMilligan home, pushing the Peacocks lead to 5-1. Morris launched a double out to left field, recording two RBIs as Pelds and Sedam scored while Bridgewater advanced to third base, before scoring on a passed ball to conclude an eight-run inning by the Peacocks.
 
Buckman continued to shine on the mound, as she recorded three strikeouts in the sixth inning, with each better going out swinging. She closed out the game striking out the final two batters she faced, to secure an 8-1 victory for the Peacocks. Buckman finished her complete game with a career-high 11 strikeouts and Morris went a perfect 3-3 at the plate with two RBIs and a home run.

Game Two vs. Southern New Hampshire Penmen
Southern New Hampshire began the bottom of the second inning with a double to left field and they were able to load the bases on a single down the right side. The Peacocks forced a ground out at first base, but the Penmen scored on the play to take an early 1-0 lead.
 
Elliott Pomeroy hit a single to center field to start the top of the sixth, and she advanced to second on a passed ball. Leah Grimm launched an RBI single out to center field, as Pomeroy scored on the play to tie the game. Bridgewater pinch ran for Grimm and she advanced to second while Charles reached first on an error. With two outs, Pelds hit a single to center field which advanced Charles to second while Bridgewater scored the go-ahead run. Sedam added an RBI single to center field as Charles made it home. Elyse Rios pitch ran for the Peacocks at second base, and she scored on a single out to center field by Addyson Alber to boost UIU's lead to 4-1.
 
SNHU found themselves with a great opportunity to cut into the Peacock lead with a runner on first and third with one out. They would hit a grounder to shortstop where the Peacocks would get an out at second and tag the runner out at home, ending the inning on a spectacular double play. With two outs at the top of the seventh, Charles hit a single to center field and a Kylie Doty double to center field brought Charles to third base. With the bases loaded, Pelds hit a single down the right field side and Charles and Doty each made it home to secure a 6-1 win for UIU to conclude an undefeated day. Rylee McGonigle also pitched a complete game where she threw two strikeouts and only allowed one run.
 
UIU will travel to Jan Phyl Village, Fla. for a double header on Thursday, Mar. 7 against Saint Rose at 10:15 a.m. and Mercyhurst at 3 p.m.