FAYETTE, Iowa - UIU Iowa softball (5-19) begins conference play this week. The Peacocks play at Lewis (Ill.) (3-7) on Friday at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m., before facing No. 11 UIndy (17-1) at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. at the turf field at West Liberty High School in West Liberty, Iowa, on Saturday.
LAST TIME OUT
Upper Iowa went 2-4 in the Midwest Classic on Feb. 26-28. UIU beat Augustana (S.D.) (5-14) and Newman (Kan.) (3-13), but lost to Central Missouri (14-6), Fort Hays State (Kan.) (10-9), No. 17 Central Oklahoma (19-5) and Wayne State (Neb.) (18-4).
Sara Reid recorded a 3.85 ERA in 20 innings pitched, striking out six batters. She led the Peacocks to a 4-3 win over Augustana after pitching seven innings, allowing three earned runs on six hits with no walks while striking out five. Reid also had a strong performance at the plate with three hits, four RBIs, and a run scored.
The senior also helped lead UIU to a 7-0 shutout win over Newman. Reid pitched seven innings, allowing just one hit while giving up no runs or walks and recording a strikeout. The Central City native added a hit and three RBIs at the plate while scoring a run.
AROUND THE GLVC
Lauren Harris of McKendree (Ill.) (16-5) was named GLVC Player of the Week after guiding her team to a 3-1 week. She went 9-for-13 (.692) at the plate with a slugging percentage of 1.077. The Woodlawn, Ill. native drove in seven runners, while scoring seven herself.
Avery Huffman of Rockhurst (Mo.) (10-7) took home Pitcher of the Week. The senior led her team to a 5-0 win over Minnesota Crookston after pitching the fourth no-hitter in program history. She also struck out 10 batters and had only one walk.
No. 11 Indianapolis stayed put in the NFCA Coaches' Poll and received 250 points. No. 21 McKendree moved up two spots from No. 23 last week and received 88 points.
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Dani Laughlin leads the team in RBIs with nine, hits with 24, batting average at .348 and slugging percentage at .377. She ranks third in the GLVC in appearances at the plate (71) and ninth in hits.
Reagon Proud has a team-most 70 at-bats. She is tied for a team-high 12 runs scored with Elliott Pomeroy, tied for a team-high three stolen bases with Jescie Comstock and tied for a team-high five doubles with Emma Tautges. The sophomore is first in the conference in appearances at the plate and 13th in doubles.
Reid is first in on the team in ERA with 2.45 and wins with five. She's allowed the fewest number of walks with nine, doubles with eight, opposing batting percentage with and home runs with three. Reid leads the GLVC in innings pitched, seventh in strikeouts (42), seventh in wins and is 10th in ERA. She is second in batting average (.500) and seventh in on-base percentage (.533).
ABOUT THE FLYERS- Friday at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.
Lewis last competed in the Dome Invitational on Feb. 18-22. The Flyers defeated Purdue Northwest (7-5) and Wisconsin-Parkside (5-11), but lost to Roosevelt (Ill.) (6-14), Bemidji State (Minn.) (6-15), Wayne State (Mich.) (4-5) and Minnesota Duluth (14-5).
Nicole Magdziasz slashes a team-best .447/.500/.474. Anna Frafjord boasts a team-best .735 slugging percentage, while Kristen Graham boasts a team-best .541 on-base percentage. Frafjord also has a team-high two home runs. Morgan Spodarek leads the team in doubles with five.
Jolee Strohmeyer is the most experienced pitcher this season, throwing 33 innings with an ERA of 7.64. She has allowed 36 earned runs on 58 hits and 20 walks. The Dubuque native also has 16 strikeouts.
Becky Pearl is in her 12th year at Lewis. She has led the program to an overall record of 297-278
ABOUT THE GREYHOUNDS - Saturday at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Indianapolis is on a six-game win streak, beating West Chester (Pa.) (2-8), Grand Valley State (Mich.) (7-8), Purdue Northwest, Winona State (Minn.) (18-4), Ferris State (Mich.) (10-9), and Gannon (Pa.) (5-7). The Greyhounds face Bemidji State and Florida Tech (17-3-1) on Wednesday.
Christina Stankus slashes a UIndy-best .429/.500/.686. She also has a team-high six doubles. Brooklyn Woods leads the team in slugging percentage with .761 and home runs with five. Shelby Cook connected for a team-most three triples.
Cheyenne Eads has pitched a team-high 59.2 innings. The sophomore has a 1.99 ERA and has allowed 17 earned runs on 41 hits with 15 walks. She has pitched a shutout and recorded 55 strikeouts.
Melissa Frost is in her 22nd year as head coach. She has eight GLVC Coach of the Year awards and an overall record of 879-311-1
UP NEXT
Upper Iowa hosts two teams for doubleheaders on March 21-22. The Peacocks face Quincy (Ill.) (4-16) the first day at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. and then Truman State (Mo.) (8-16) the next day at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.
