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March 2, 2008
The Peacock baseball team returned to the diamond in Emporia, Kansas looking to upset the #18 Hornets of Emporia State. Upper Iowa led the Hornets 4-3 heading to the fourth inning, but the powerful Hornet offense scored 11 runs in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings on their way to a 14-5 victory over the Peacocks. Emporia State improved to 6-2 on the season, while Upper Iowa's record fell to 0-7. Upper Iowa opened the game with a run in the first when Lucas Wilsing singled up the middle with two outs. After an error gave the visitors runners on second and third, Wilsing was able to cross the plate on a throwing error by the catcher. Emporia State struck back quickly with two runs in their next at bat thanks to two solo shots over the outfield wall. The Peacocks put three runs on the board in the third to retake the lead. Tom Longoni led off and doubled to center field, and after two outs, T.J. Johnson walked to give UIU two baserunners. Brock Spangenberg hit an infield single to load the bases. All three Peacocks scored when Kreston Albright reached second base on an error by the Hornet's centerfielder. Emporia State scratched a run back in the third with two hits to trail 4-3. Emporia State took the lead in the bottom of the fourth with two runs on only one hit thanks to a walk, a hit batsman, and a balk. Upper Iowa rallied in their next at bat to tie the game at 5-5. Wilsing, UIU's starting pitcher, helped his own cause tying the game with a homerun. The Peacocks lost control of the game in the bottom of the fifth when the Hornets erupted for seven runs and took a 12-5 lead. Emporia State scored their seven runs thanks to six singles in the inning. The home team put the final two runs on the board in the sixth inning on three hits including a solo homer to lead off the inning. Wilsing threw well for the Peacocks threw the first four innings but gave up the runs in the Hornets' big fifth inning. The sophomore threw 4.1 innings and allowed 11 runs, 10 of them earned, on 10 hits while striking out 5. Mitch McClay came to the mound in the seventh and eighth and did not allow the Hornets any more runs while striking out 2. Wilsing led the Peacocks at the plate with two hits. The lefthander scored twice and picked up a run batted in on his long ball. Seven other UIU batters picked up a hit in the game. The Peacocks will look to pick up their first win this week when they travel to Kirksville, Missouri to face the Bulldogs of Truman State. The first pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, Mar. 8. |
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