WEST LIBERTY, Iowa - The Peacock baseball team (7-8) fell in game two on Saturday night to Wisconsin-Parkside (9-5) by a score of 12-5. After the Peacocks led 5-4, the Rangers used a five-run seventh inning to gain the advantage for the win.

Parkside struck first as Trace Kirchberg knocked a two-run homer in the first and Nolan Maciejewski hit an RBI double in the second inning. The game remained 3-0 in the fifth inning, as Kyle Hrncir held the Rangers scoreless with a two-strikeout fourth inning.

UIU scored all of its runs in the fifth inning. Jared Hoodjer, Hunter Jones and Jayce Klug walked to start the inning, and Cael Luzum took a ball to his body to bring in the first run. A Thane Meiners RBI single and a Brock Zimmer walk brought in two more. After that, Gabe Bombardier hit an RBI single, and JJ Vargas walked to put the Peacocks up, 5-3. 

The Rangers added a run in the bottom of the inning on an RBI groundout. After two walks and a bunt single in the seventh, Josh Wicker and Angel Rades hit back-to-back 2RBI singles to retake the lead, 8-5. Another groundout RBI gave the Rangers a 9-5 advantage.

The Peacocks threatened in both the eighth and ninth innings with runners on first and second with two outs, but could not convert. Parkside added three runs in the top of the ninth with two walks and two singles. 

Meiners and Bombardier both had a hit, RBI and a walk. Vargas had the lone extra-base hit for the Peacocks with a leadoff double in the second inning. Jayce Klug added a hit, walk and scored a run.

Hrncir pitched 5.2 innings after getting the start. He totaled a team-high six strikeouts while allowing five hits, three walks and four earned runs. Landon Boisen and Austin Shingledecker both threw strikeouts in their appearances. 

Parkside was led by Rades, going 4-for-4 with three RBIs, a walk and two stolen bases. Carter Storti had three RBIs on a hit and a walk. Isaiah Terrell got the win on the mound after pitching 4.1 innings in relief while allowing one hit and three walks. He also totaled six strikeouts. 

UWP outhit UIU 10-4, and the Peacocks committed the only error of the game. UIU walked nine times compared to seven for the Rangers. Parkside struck out 10 times, and the Peacocks struck out nine times. 

The Peacocks and Rangers will close out the series at West Liberty High School at noon on Monday. The teams will play a pair of seven-inning games for the doubleheader.