Upper Iowa University Athletics

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. - Upper Iowa baseball (17-27, 10-17 GLVC) took game one of a four-game series against Truman State (12-33, 5-24 GLVC). Gabe Olson made the final start of his career and tossed a complete game. Jayce Klug led the offense with three hits and three RBIs

The Peacocks ace, Olson, took the mound for the final time in a Peacocks uniform. He came into the start with the fourth-best ERA in the GLVC. After a scoreless first inning, Olson let off a leadoff home run to Gavin Schieffer in the second. 

UIU's offense responded with a three-run third inning. It started with a Thane Meiners sacrifice fly, then a Jared Hoodjer 2RBI single gave the Peacocks a 3-1 lead. The Bulldogs got one of those runs back with an RBI groundout from Tyler Tieman in the bottom of the third.

Upper Iowa took advantage of a couple of defensive mistakes from the Bulldogs. Klug got a bunt single that scored Kyle Hrncir after nobody covered home following the throw attempt to get Klug at first base. Back-to-back RBI fielder's choices from Meiners and Brock Zimmer gave the Peacocks their second straight three-run inning.

In the fourth inning, the Bulldogs had the bases loaded with just one out. Olson was able to get a groundball, and the Peacocks turned a double play to end the inning and hold onto their 6-2 lead. 

The Peacock offense loaded the bases before Klug hit a 2RBI single to center field to extend the lead, 8-2, in the top of the eighth. Truman State started the bottom of the ninth with back-to-back singles, but Olson got the next three batters out to seal the win. 

Klug finished the game 3-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored. Hoodjer went 3-for-5 with two RBIs. Meiners had a hit and two RBIs. Zimmer had an RBI and a run scored. Cael Luzum and Gabe Bombardier each had a double. 

Olson picked up his eighth win of the season, pitching a complete game, giving up nine hits, two runs, one earned run, while striking out seven batters, walking four and hitting one batter. Olson threw a career-high 131 pitches. His eighth win is one shy of tying Wade Whitcher in 2001, Travis Mueller in 1996 and Arnie Leistad in 1967 for the most in a single season in program history. 

For Truman State, Nick Steurer went 3-for-5. Tieman had two hits and an RBI. Schieffer had two hits, including a home run, a hit by pitch and a stolen base. Caden Carroll started the game, he pitched four innings, giving up six hits, six earned runs, while striking out two batters and walking four batters.

The Peacocks outhit the Bulldogs, 12-9, and committed the only error of the game. The Peacocks left eight runners on base, while the Bulldogs left 11 runners on base. Peacock pitching struck out seven batters, while Bulldog pitching struck out 10 batters.

Both teams will resume action for a Friday doubleheader at Bulldog Baseball Park at 1 p.m. The series finale will be on Saturday at noon.