May 3, 2008

Bismarck, ND – Upper Iowa University scored six runs in the top of the seventh inning of game two to dash the University of Mary hopes of a split as the Peacocks rallied to defeat the Marauders 10-5 in Northern Sun play. The second-place Peacocks also snuck out a win in game one, 6-5.

The two losses today means the Marauders will need some help in order to make the Northern Sun playoffs. As U-Mary enters the final day of Northern Sun regular season play on Sunday against Upper Iowa, even a sweep of the Peacocks will need to be combined with losses by Bemidji State and/or Southwest Minnesota State. U-Mary entered the weekend tied for fifth in the NSIC. The top six teams advance to the conference tournament next week.

The long ball had given the Marauders a 5-4 lead after six innings in the nightcap. Trailing 3-1 entering the fifth inning, Mike Feldman cracked a three-run home run to put the Marauders up 4-3. It was his tenth home run of the season.

Two mistakes in the top of the sixth allowed the Peacocks to tie the game as a wild pickoff throw and a passed ball combined to give UIU a run.

Nate Watson put the Marauders back in front when he hit a leadoff home run in the sixth. His second round tripper of the season put U-Mary back in front 5-4.

The lead wouldn’t hold. Three straight hits by UIU to open the top of the seventh pushed the Peacocks to a 6-5 lead with pinch hitter Tom Longoni providing the go-ahead hit. After a two-out error by U-Mary, the Peacocks tacked on four more runs to put the game out of reach. Only four of UIU’s ten runs scored were earned as U-Mary committed four errors and had a passed ball.

Feldman finished 2-for-4 with three RBI and a home run. Watson went 2-for-3, including his home run. Andy Leer scored twice.

In the opener, the Marauders battled from behind all game. Upper Iowa struck for three runs in the top of the first, capped by a two-run home run by designated hitter Lucas Wilson.

The Marauders would rally for two in the third inning. After Ryan Lee was hit by a pitch and Adrian Garcia singled, Feldman doubled both home to pull U-Mary within 3-2. The Peacocks scored twice in the fifth, but the Marauders scored two in the sixth. Tyler Liffrig singled home Adrian Garcia and a sacrifice fly by Brennan Quintus scored Feldman.

Kenton Albright completed the cycle to lead off the seventh, hitting a home run to push UIU’s lead to two runs. Albright was 4-for-4 with a single, double, triple and home run, scoring three runs and driving in two.

U-Mary put together a promising rally in the bottom of the seventh, but a base running gaffe cost the Marauders cost U-Mary a chance to tie. Dan Eichle hit a one-out pinch hit single. Ryan Lee would follow with a double and got trapped off second base when pinch runner Eric Cantwell stopped at third. Lee tried to go back to second and was tagged out as Cantwell dashed for home to close U-Mary to within one run. Peacocks pitcher Brian Solemsaas then struck out the next U-Mary batter to finish the game and gain a complete game victory for UIU.

Pacing the Marauders offense in the first game was Garcia, 2-for-2 with two runs scored and a walk, and Feldman, 2-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored.

The Marauders fall to 16-30 overall and 13-15 in the NSIC. Upper Iowa is 28-23 overall and 23-7 in conference play.

The two teams close out the regular season with a doubleheader on Sunday, May 4. First pitch is set for 12 noon.