The Peacocks concluded day two of the Branson Lead-Off Classic with consecutive 6-5 defeats to Emporia State and Minnesota Crookston.

Game One vs. Emporia State Hornets
Junior Serah Shafer commenced the game by hitting the team's first triple of the season, and she scored the following at bat on a ground out RBI by fifth year Rae VanMilligan. Junior Sara Reid pitched one strikeout in the first and two strikeouts in the second, before posting a three-up, three-down third inning. Junior Taylor Sedam started off strong as well, as she recorded consecutive hits, with the first coming on a fly ball to left in the second inning before following that up with another double to the exact same spot in the fourth.

The Hornets recorded back-to-back singles at the bottom of the fourth, and advanced a runner to third on a sacrifice bunt. With one out, the Peacocks defense forced a double play, with Reid picking up out number three on a throw at the plate. Emporia State put a runner on base to start the fifth, and they tied the game at 1-1 on a line drive to the outfield, where they took advantage of a UIU error.

Fifth year Tristin Doster hit the Peacocks third double on the day atop the sixth inning, but ESU was able to force three consecutive outs. UIU then opened the seventh with junior Kylie Doty reaching first on an error. She advanced to second on an error, before reaching third base on a single to the shortstop by junior Taylor Hamaker. Shafer continued to have herself a game as she recorded an RBI single on a grounder to the shortstop, where a Doty run put the Peacocks in a 2-1 lead. The Hornets picked up out number two on a fielder's choice, but Shafer was able to advance to third. Doster extended the Peacocks lead to 4-1, as she launched a triple on a line drive out to right field with Shafer and VanMilligan scoring on the play.

Emporia State quickly put two runners in scoring position, following a walk and an error. They cut the lead to 4-3 on a two RBI double by Taryn Burkhardt, and she was able to advance to third on a single to left field. She scored the game tying run on a ground out, and the Peacocks forced out number three to send the game to extra innings.

Sedam was walked to start the eight, and Addyson Alber followed up by hitting a clutch line drive out the center field, recording an RBI as freshman Reagon Proud scored the go-ahead run as she was placed on second base due to extra innings rules.

Emporia State took advantage of this new rule, by advancing their base runner to third on a sacrifice bunt. They would tie the game on an RBI triple by Avery Brewer, but the Peacocks were able to throw her out on a fielder's choice at home during the next at bat. With two outs remaining, ESU advanced their runner to second on a single, and added another RBI single by Kinsey Perine, to complete the 6-5 win in the eighth inning.

Game Two vs. Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles
Shafer opened game two with a hit as well, as she recorded a single. With two outs, Alber recorded an RBI grounder to shortstop and she advanced to second base as Sedam was walked. Doty added another RBI single on a line drive out to left field, where Alber scored and Sedam advanced to second. Junior Shannon Nelson loaded the bases on a single to third, and freshman Faith Lemonds drew a walk to put the Peacocks in a 3-0 lead with Sedam scoring on the play.

Following three straight ground outs by the UIU defense, Shafer, VanMilligan and Doster recorded back-to-back-to-back singles, to load the bases with zero outs atop the second. The Golden Eagles were able to force a double play, but Alber added her second RBI of the game advancing Shafer home. Sedam put the Peacocks ahead 5-0 as she hit a hard ground ball to center field, as Doster crossed home plate.

Minnesota-Crookston got on base with a walk at the bottom of the sixth, before scoring their first run of the game on an RBI single. Following another walk, they were able to advance both runners to second and third due to a wild pitch. Chayse Doering posted a two RBI double on a single out to left field, to cut the lead to 5-3.

They Golden Eagles picked up consecutive walks at the bottom of the seventh inning, and they were able to tie the game with a two RBI single on a line drive to right field by Whitnee Curry. She advanced to third on a single during the next at bat, before scoring the game winning run on a line drive single to right field by Sydney McMurdie.

The Peacocks will close out the tournament tomorrow, Sunday, Feb. 2 at 11 a.m. against Oklahoma Baptist.