THIS WEEK IN PEACOCK BASEBALL
Upper Iowa baseball ignites its season on the road in Claremore, Okla. against Rogers State University Feb. 7-9. The two teams will go head-to-head on Friday (2 p.m.) and Saturday (11 a.m., 2 p.m.). All three games will be played at the RCB Bank Sports Complex. 
 
LIVE OPTIONS
Fans can stay connected to the games this weekend with live stats and a webcast at the links attached to this story or every day at UIUPeacocks.com/Live. The live stream will be available on the MIAA Network behind a paywall. 
 
RECAP OF LAST SEASON
UIU concluded the 2024 campaign with a 13-34 overall mark and a 10-26 record in the conference last season, finishing in a tie for 13th in the GLVC.  They posted three wins in the four-game series against UW Parkside, Rockhurst and Truman State. They managed two wins against McKendree and took one win off Missouri-St. Louis and Springfield. 
 
BACK IN THE BOX
Peacock baseball returns a plethora of experience at the plate this season, including their top five batters regarding total hits. Ethan Sawyer returns after hitting .389 in 2024 with a team-high 63 hits. Gunnar Wicklund followed behind with a .327, 52 hits and a team-high 12 home runs, while Gabe Bombardier recorded a .284 at the plate, 42 hits and 10 home runs. 
 
BACK ON THE MOUND
Isaiah Maes returns in 2025 after the most innings pitched last season (39 IP) and an ERA of 12.46. Brady Stevens follows behind with 33.2 innings pitched and an 8.02 ERA with a team-high three wins on the mound last campaign. Gabe Olson appeared in eight games last year, recording a 4.74 ERA after throwing for 19 innings, allowing 19 hits and 16 runs. 
 
ABOUT THE OPPOSITION
Rogers State finished 24-25 overall last season and 14-19 in the MIAA, finishing sixth in the regular season standings. The Hillcats concluded their campaign as they fell to Pittsburg State 6-1 in the first round of the MIAA Tournament. RSU has been voted to finish eighth in this year's preseason poll. They have played one game in 2025 against East Central, defeating them in a 10-0 (7 Inn.) final.  
 
ON DECK
After the opening weekend of competition, Upper Iowa will travel to Hammond, Ind. to take on Purdue Northwest in a three-game series on Feb. 14-16.