The Peacocks split the series against the Truman State Bulldogs in two high scoring affairs. The Peacocks achieved an 8-7 comeback victory in game one, before falling by a score of 7-6 in the second match.
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Game One
Junior
Kylie Doty quickly got on the board for the Peacocks, as she launched a solo home run over the wall to take a 1-0 lead. On the mound, junior
Sara Reid recorded one strikeout in each of the first four innings, but the Bulldogs were able to pull ahead with a two RBI homer at the bottom of the fourth. That lead did not last long as fifth year
Rae VanMilligan recorded a solo home run of her own to tie the game atop the fifth inning. Both teams would continue to trade runs, as Truman State hit a pair of singles, before jumping back into the lead on a sacrifice fly. Senior
Tristin Doster led off the sixth inning by hitting Upper Iowa's third home run of the day, which came on a solo shot once again. The Bulldogs responded with a solo homer at the bottom of the sixth inning, which put them back ahead with a 4-3 score.
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With the game on the line, the Peacocks put one on base on a walk, and followed that up with junior
Serah Shafer hitting a single. With one out, junior
Taylor Sedam smacked a single to the outfield, which brought sophomore
Elliott Pomeroy home for the tying run. Doster would be walked to load the bases, and Shafer would score the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly by sophomore
Addyson Alber. With two runners in scoring position, freshman
Dorothy Ziebell posted a two RBI single to the outfield, as runs by Sedam and Doster extended the lead to three. Ziebell advanced to second on a wild pitch, and an RBI single by Doty would bring her home to give the Peacocks an 8-4 lead.
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The Bulldogs opened the bottom of the seventh with a single, before Upper Iowa would force consecutive outs. TSU was able to put runners on the corner on a single to the outfield, and they scored their fifth run on a single. With the bases loaded, Truman State recorded a two RBI single to second, cutting Upper Iowa's lead to one. With the tying run on third, Reid forced a pop out to second, to give the Peacocks an 8-7 win.
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With the victory,
Sara Reid improves to 5-3 on the year, where she struck out four batters in her seventh complete game.
Tristin Doster had a perfect game at the plate as she hit 2-2 with two runs and one homer.
Kylie Doty and
Rae VanMilligan each hit 2-4 with one run, while both players recorded home runs as well.
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Game Two
The Bulldogs took an early 1-0 lead on an RBI groundout in the first, and they would later follow that up with a two-run homer in the third inning. They posted consecutive singles at the bottom of the fourth, and put two runners in scoring position on a sacrifice bunt. A two RBI double to the outfield would give TSU a 5-0 lead, before the Peacocks would force consecutive outs, leaving a runner stranded at third.
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Shafer hit a single atop the fifth, and she recorded her 12th stolen base on the year in 14 attempts to reach second. With one out, Doster hit another bigtime home run over the wall, picking up two RBIs. She has recorded a team-high five home runs on the season, while hitting one home run in Upper Iowa's last four games. Alber was then walked and she advanced to second on a ground out. Ziebell picked up another RBI on the day as she brought Alber home with a single to the outfield. VanMilligan would be walked on the next at bat, and she and Ziebell would advance to second and third on a wild pitch. Doty would hit an RBI single as Ziebell scored on the play to cut the lead to 5-4.
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Truman State added their sixth run in the bottom of the fifth inning, as they recorded a pair of singles. They would once again leave a runner at third base, as the Peacocks forced a fly out to close out the inning. Shafer scored her second run of the game, as she led off the sixth with a solo home run. Junior
Shannon Nelson's sharp eye would result in her being walked, before Doster and Alber loaded the bases with back-to-back singles. With one out, Ziebell would also be walked as Nelson's run tied the game at 6-apiece.
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With the game still tied at the bottom of the seventh, the Bulldogs were able to load the bases on three walks. With two outs, TSU recorded an RBI single to secure the 7-6 win in game two.
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The Peacocks will continue their road trip tomorrow against Quincy at 12 and p.m. They will then return to Fayette for their home opener as they take on Lewis, Tuesday, Mar. 18 at 12 and 2 p.m.
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