Upper Iowa baseball claimed the series over Truman State after securing wins in both contests on Saturday. The Peacocks took game one 5-0 and game two 10-8 after Brock Zimmer smacked a walk-off home run.
Isaiah Maes notched his third win on the mound after taking game one, securing the shutout as Truman State recorded zero runs and five hits during his seven innings of work.
After the weekend, UIU improved to 7-11 overall and 4-4 in the GLVC, while TSU fell to 4-15 and 1-3 in conference play.
GAME ONE UIU-5, TSU-0
Upper Iowa took an early lead in the second inning as Justin Baehler delivered an RBI single to left center, scoring Brock Zimmer to give the Peacocks a 1-0 advantage. From there, the offense continued to click, adding more runs in the fourth inning. J.J. Vargas helped extend the lead with a solo home run to left field, followed by an RBI single from Ethan Sawyer that brought Baehler home, making it 3-0 in favor of the Peacocks.
The game was further out of reach in the sixth inning as the Peacocks tacked on two more runs. Sawyer, continuing his impressive performance at the plate, doubled to center field, driving in both Paul Safranski and Vargas to extend the lead to 5-0.
Truman State managed just five hits and left five runners on base, unable to capitalize on scoring opportunities. The Bulldogs' best chance came in the early innings, but they could not find a way to break through Upper Iowa's defense or pitching.
On the mound, Isaiah Maes of Upper Iowa was sharp, giving his team a strong performance in a combined shutout. The Peacocks' defense held Truman State to no runs and only five hits while committing no errors.
Sawyer led the squad with three hits and three RBIs.
GAME TWO UIU-10, TSU-8
Upper Iowa struck first in the third inning with two quick runs. Paul Safranski reached on a single and advanced to third on a throwing error, allowing J.J. Vargas to score. Ethan Sawyer then singled to center, driving in Safranski, making it 2-0 in favor of the Peacocks at the end of the frame.
Truman State responded in the fourth inning, cutting Upper Iowa's lead in half. A fielder's choice scored Tyler Tieman to make it 2-1. The Peacocks added another run in the bottom of the frame when Sage Stellmacher singled to center, scoring Bryce Hall to give Upper Iowa a 3-1 lead. Safranski then hit a sacrifice fly out to right field to drive in Vargas, making it 4-1.
The Bulldogs stormed back in the fifth inning. A passed ball allowed them to score, and Truman State trailed 4-2. The Bulldogs continued their comeback in the sixth inning, taking the lead when a double to right center drove in three runs, giving Truman State a 6-5 advantage.
Upper Iowa responded quickly in the seventh inning. Gunnar Wicklund homered to right field to cut the deficit to 7-6. The Peacocks then tied the game in the eighth inning when Safranski scored on a wild pitch, and Grams followed with a sacrifice fly to bring in Sawyer, making it 8-8.
The game was decided in the ninth inning when Brock Zimmer hit a walk-off two-run home run to left field, securing the 10-8 decision.
Bryce Hall led the team at the plate in game two with three hits.
Marcus Champagne picked up the win on the mound, throwing two innings, allowing one earned run and striking out two.
