March 1, 2008

Box Score

The Peacock baseball team took the field again today at #28 Central Missouri looking for their first win of the season. The Peacocks and Mules were tied 1-1 heading into the seventh inning. Upper Iowa pushed two across in the top of the seventh to claim a 3-1 advantage. The lead, however, would be short-lived as the Mules offense struck for three runs in their half of the inning and then added two more runs in the bottom of the eighth. Central Missouri took the victory, 6-3, and improved to 8-4 on the season, while Upper Iowa's record fell to 0-6 on the young season.

Both teams struck for a run in the third inning. The Peacocks put a run up in the top half of the inning before the Mules tied in the bottom of the frame. Josh McKeon opened the inning with a walk and advanced to second on a ground out by Seth Fox. With two outs, Tom Logoni drove McKeon in with a single to center field. Central Missouri tied the game with an unearned run.

The pitchers and defense took control over the next three innings. Peacock starter Andy Seabrooke did not surrender a hit in the middle three innings, but the Mules' starter did equally well only giving up one hit to Upper Iowa.

In the seventh inning, UIU pushed two runs across the plate on three hits. After the first two batters of the inning recorded outs, McKeon got the Peacocks' scoring started again as he singled to center field. The next batter was Erik Sorensen and the Peacock shortstop deposited a pitch over the left field wall to give Upper Iowa a 3-1 lead. Seth Fox followed the homer with a single and then stole second, but was stranded at second after a ground out ended the inning.

After a pitching change, the Mules opened their half of the seventh with a pair of singles. After a pickoff and a ground out, the Peacocks had two outs and had not allowed a run. That was all about to change as the Mules' leading hitter came to the plate and knocked a double to right field that scored one. The next Central Missouri batter stepped up to bat and homered to left field giving the home team a one-run lead, 4-3.

Nick Fjelland opened the eighth inning with a single to left and moved to second on a wild pitch. After Lucas Wilsing was hit by a pitch, the Peacocks had runners on first and second with no outs and looked poised to put some runs on the board. The situation changed quickly after a strikeout and Fjelland was caught stealing third base. A pop up ended the rally for the visitors.

Central Missouri added another two runs in the bottom of the eighth on their second two-run long ball of the game. The Peacocks' Kreston Albright led off the ninth with a single, but UIU was unable to push him around the basepaths as the Peacocks were defeated, 6-3.

Seabrooke started the game for the Peacocks and pitched very well. The big left-hander threw six innings allowing just one unearned run while scattering four hits and striking out four. Brian Solemsaas (0-2) took the loss for Upper Iowa allowing 3 runs in just two-thirds of an inning. Seven Peacocks tallied a hit in the game including the Sorensen homerun and a Wilsing double.

The Peacocks will now head to #18 Emporia State on Sunday, Mar. 2, to face the Hornets in a nine inning affair. The first pitch in Emporia, Kansas is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.