Quincy, Ill. - The Quincy University softball team secured their first conference win of the season over the Peacocks of Upper Iowa University on Sunday afternoon (Mar. 16). Quincy fell in a close 7-5 game one, but outstanding defense and electric swings of the bats in game two hoisted the Hawks to a 6-4 win in game two. 

Game One
After pushing back the start time of the doubleheader in response to a snow-covered field this morning, the Hawks had a slow start to game one. The Peacocks offense made solid contact in the first two innings, tabbing four runs on four hits. Kaelyn Conger and company kept Upper Iowa off the board through the next two innings with four ground outs and a double play courtesy of Mykah Hurley and Jessie Martin. 

Quincy had their go of running around the bases in the bottom of the fifth inning. A slow roller back to the pitcher from Hurley set the Hawks up with Martin drawing a an extra base on her single just past the second baseman. Lindsey Fischer brought Hurley in with a sacrifice bunt and Isabella Shields brought Martin home with a double. The Peacocks returned the two runs the Hawks scored in the top of the sixth inning, taking the score to 6-2. 

Quincy added a run in the bottom of the inning with Hurley's double in the pocket, bringing in a quick Kenzie Moss all the way from first base. Again, the Peacocks replied with a run of their own, also on a double. 

The Hawks rallied in their final at-bat. Casey Fronheiser pinch hit for Fischer, sending the ball to left field for a single. Fischer came back in to run, stole a base, and made it around on Kinsey Biggerstaff's double. Allyson Maynard reached on a hit to second base, bringing in Biggerstaff in the process. With the tying run at the plate, the Hawks had a great opportunity to take game one, but a mis-thrown ball from the catcher in a steal attempt proved lucky for the Peacocks as the Hawks were picked off for the final out of the game. Conger pitched all seven innings, posting three strikeouts. 

Game Two
Emma Stieferman started in the circle for game two, throwing two strikeouts and only allowing one run on an RBI double. Quincy got Shields and Maynard into scoring position but a smart play at home kept the Hawks scoreless through the first. 

Stieferman struck out another batter in the second, and Moss made a crucial diving catch at short with runners on second and third for the final out of the inning. Hurley started things off on offense in the second inning with a rip to right center. Martin skipped a ball of the right field wall to bring in Hurley for the Hawks lone run of the inning. 

Quincy's offense added two runs in the bottom of third inning courtesy of two errors on the left side and a deep triple from Moss. The Peacocks were quick to tie things up with the Hawks in the next inning. Two errors and a deep single for Upper Iowa aided in its next three runs. Moss was able to prevent the Peacocks from taking the lead by sending the ball straight home for the force-out. 

Quincy added three runs in the bottom of the fifth. Maynard sent the ball to center field and advanced to second with a short hit to shortstop from Alexus Freeman. Moss sent the ball flying to the green again, bringing in Maynard. Hurley also hit one deep, bringing in Moss and Freeman for two more runs. The Peacocks brought in a new arm and retired the Hawks offense quickly. 

Upper Iowa added one more run in the top of the sixth inning, despite some incredible defense from the Hawks. Stieferman got the lead runner out at second base for the Hawks' first out. Allison Kaiser ran in for a diving catch at center for the Hawks second and Hurley caught a knee-high line drive to end the inning. 

Stieferman had five strikeouts on the day and only gave up one earned run against the Peacocks. 

Quincy keeps play at home with a doubleheader against GLIAC opponent Davenport University on Wednesday, followed by conference doubleheaders against William Jewell and Truman State on Saturday and Sunday.