Upper Iowa baseball returned to the diamond on Sunday in Liberty, Mo., splitting a doubleheader against William Jewell. The Peacocks secured a 7-1 victory in game one but fell 8-6 in game two. With a 2-3 record on the season, Upper Iowa will face the Cardinals again Monday at 1 p.m.
GAME ONE
Upper Iowa secured the 7-1 win over William Jewell in game one, powered by a strong offensive performance and dominant pitching. The Peacocks' pitching staff held the Cardinals scoreless through the first five innings and allowed only one run on five hits in total. Upper Iowa's pitchers combined for 10 strikeouts, keeping William Jewell off balance throughout the game.
Brady Stevens delivered an impressive start on the mound, going six innings while allowing just four hits and one earned run. He walked two and struck out nine, keeping the Cardinals' offense in check.
Marcus Champagne closed the game with a perfect inning of work, striking out one and facing three batters to seal the victory.
Offensively, the Peacocks broke open the game in the fifth inning.
Chase Chappel led off with an RBI single to score
Bryce Hall, followed by
Ethan Sawyer's grand slam to left-center, putting Upper Iowa ahead 5-0. Chappel added to the lead in the sixth with a solo home run to left field, making it 6-0.
William Jewell answered in the bottom of the sixth after reaching on an error, scoring one and cutting the deficit to 6-1. However, Upper Iowa responded in the seventh with Wicklund's solo shot to right field, making it a 7-1 final.
Gabe Bombardier went 3-4 at the plate, followed by
Gunnar Wicklund,
Justin Baehler and Chappel who had two hits apiece.
GAME TWO
In game two, William Jewell defeated Upper Iowa 8-6. The game began with the Cardinals taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a solo homer to left field. However, Upper Iowa quickly answered in the second inning, putting two runs on the board.
Brock Zimmer hit a double, bringing
Bryce Hall home, and a ground out to second base scored Zimmer, giving Upper Iowa a 2-1 advantage.
The game saw another shift in momentum in the fourth inning. Upper Iowa added three unearned runs, starting with
Jared Hoodjer reaching on an error and advancing to third on the throw, scoring two runs.
Ethan Sawyer added another unearned run with a sacrifice fly, making it 5-1 in favor of Upper Iowa.
William Jewell began its comeback in the fourth. They homered to left field, driving in two runs and cutting the deficit to 5-3. The rally continued as they singled to bring home one runner, followed by an RBI single to score another, tying the game at 5-5. The momentum stayed with the Cardinals as a hit by a pitch brought in the go-ahead run. The Cardinals kept pushing as wild pitches allowed additional runs to cross, and their lead extended to 7-5.
Upper Iowa's efforts to catch up in the fifth inning were halted when William Jewell scored on a passed ball, stretching the lead to 8-5.
The Peacocks mounted one last charge in the sixth when
Gunnar Wicklund doubled to left field, scoring Sawyer and cutting the lead to 8-6. Upper Iowa couldn't rally further despite their efforts, and William Jewell held on for the 8-6 victory.
Steve Marhefke started on the mound and threw 3.1 innings, giving up six earned runs on eight hits while striking out 5 batters and walking one. He allowed two hit-by-pitches and one wild pitch during his outing.
Tyler Glowacki followed with 1.2 innings of relief, allowing two earned runs on two hits and two walks while recording two strikeouts. He faced 10 batters in his time on the mound.
Dylan Hesch came in for the final inning, delivering a perfect performance with no hits, no walks, and 1 strikeout.
