Feb. 25, 2008

Box Score

The Peacock softball team closed out the Husky Dome Invitational hosted by St. Cloud State in dramatic fashion Sunday as they defeated NSIC-foe Bemidji State, 4-3 in eight innings, in a non-conference matchup.

Bemidji State found the board first with a run in the fourth and added another in the fifth. The Peacocks found themselves in a 2-0 hole entering their half of the sixth inning when Kami Appelt reached base on a fielder's choice that scored Stephanie Daubenspeck. Later in the inning, Peacock shortstop, Erin Bennek, singled to left field scoring Appelt and to even the score at 2-2.

After a scoreless seventh inning, the game moved to extra innings. The tournament's extra inning rules called for the final out of the previous inning to be placed on second base to begin the inning. Northern Sun Conference rules initiate this rule after the 10th inning.

The Beavers took the lead early in the top of the eighth inning, but could only post one run. Bemidji State left two on base when the inning ended.

In the bottom half of the eighth, Peacock designated player Stefani Schulte was placed on second then replaced by pinch runner, Amanda Gargantiel. Appelt then doubled to put runners on second and third for the Peacocks. After a pair of lineouts, Bennek belted a double to score Gargantiel and Appelt and give Upper Iowa 4-3 walk-off victory.

Nikki Davis picked up the complete game win for the Peacocks as she scattered eight hits over eight innings of work while giving up three runs, one of them earned, and striking out five batters.

The Upper Iowa softball team will take their 2-2 early season record to Kissimmee, Florida when they compete in the Rebel Spring Games. The Peacocks will battle the Greyhounds of Indianapolis University on Friday, Mar. 9, in the opener of the Rebel Spring Games. The first pitch against the Greyhounds is scheduled for 3 p.m. local time.