Upper Iowa University Athletics

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Peacock softball (6-44, 1-25 GLVC) lost its final two games of the regular season to Illinois Springfield (33-18, 17-12 GLVC). UIU was defeated in the first game, 2-0, and the second game, 5-1. 

Ella Perkins led the day with two doubles in game two. Dani Laughlin finished with two hits, an RBI and two walks. Jescie Comstock recorded two hits and two walks. Addyson Alber had two hits, seven putouts and a walk. 

On the weekend, including the games against No. 17 McKendree (Ill.) (40-12, 21-7 GLVC), Laughlin totaled four hits with seven putouts. Dorothy Ziebell connected for three hits and Sara Reid struck out four batters. 

Game One: Illinois Springfield 2, Upper Iowa 0
Upper Iowa gained momentum in the first two innings, but was unable to capitalize. In the first inning, Comstock walked and Alber singled to center field. In the second inning, Ziebell singled to center field. 

Illinois Springfield took a 1-0 advantage in the third inning, scoring a run. Jaden Watts stole a base before posting the game's first run off an error by the Peacocks' catcher. 

UIS took a  2-0 lead after driving home a run in the fourth inning. The run came off a right field single by Olivia DeLuca. 

UIU attempted to come back in the fifth, but was unsuccessful. Reid reached first base on an error by Illinois Springfield. After two fielders' choices, Alber hit a left field single and Laughlin walked to load the bases. However, Kaitlin Foral grounded out to second, ending the inning. The game remained scoreless the rest of the way, giving the Prairie Stars a 2-0 win. 

Alber connected for two singles, while Ziebell connected for a single. Comstock collected a hit and a walk. Laughlin recorded two walks, while Proud recorded a walk. 

Ziebell tossed six innings, allowing one earned run on three hits and three walks. The sophomore also posted a strikeout.

The Peacocks totaled four hits, four walks, an error and left 10 runners on base. The Prairie Stars finished with three hits, an RBI, three walks and left a runner on base. 

Game Two: Illinois Springfield 7, Upper Iowa 2
UIU commanded a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Proud got hit by a pitch before Jescie Comstock connected for a center field single. Alber then reached base on a fielder's choice before stealing second. Proud scored the run during this sequence, stealing home from third base. 

UIS answered the bell in the bottom of the first, scoring its own run the same way. Calista Stahlhut stole second, and Rebecca Neupauer stole home.

The Prairie Stars ripped off three runs in the second inning, gaining a 4-1 lead. The first run came off a Rachel McMullen center field single, while the other two runs came off a Rosie Bartletti single to left field. 

Illinois Springfield added a run in the third inning and two runs in the fifth inning. McMullen drove in two of the runs, one in the third and one in the fifth, both off singles. Sophie Rivera drove home the third run on a single to right field. 

The Peacocks softened the Prairie Stars' final blow to 7-2 after adding a run in the seventh inning. Comstock walked before Mya Mendoza came in to pinch run for her. Laughlin later brought her home on a groundout to shortstop. 

Ella Perkins posted two hits with two doubles. Laughlin and Foral had two hits, while Ziebell, Comstock and Cara Farnam each had a hit. Laughlin also recorded an RBI. Proud and Mendoza each scored a run, while Comstock and Alber each walked once. 

Reid pitched seven innings, giving up 12 hits and a walk. The Central City native also netted three strikeouts. 

UIU ended the game with nine hits, an RBI, two walks and left 10 runners on base. UIS totaled 12 hits, six RBIs, a walk and left four runners on base.