Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Bismarck, ND – Steve Pletan drove in six runs and Tyler Steffan scored four times on the day but the University of Mary was unable to hold off an Upper Iowa University attack that posted a dozen runs in each game. The Peacocks captured the opener 12-4 and rallied past the Marauders 12-10 in game two as U-Mary honored its four seniors during the Northern Sun baseball doubleheader.
 
Pletan hit a bases-loaded double to score three runs and just missed a grand slam for a long two-run single to post five RBI in the second game. The senior from Mandan, ND, had a run-scoring single in the opener and ended the day 3-for-7.
 
Steffan scored twice in each game and also was 3-for -7. The senior centerfielder was 2-for-4 with a triple and two runs scored in game one and 1-for-3 with three walks in the nightcap.
 
U-Mary jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the opener. Steffan led off with a single and scored on a ground out by Kyal Williams. Pletan then delivered a two-out run scoring single to score Cory Herback.
 
A double, two bunt singles, two grounders up the middle and four stolen bases equaled four runs in the third for the Peacocks. The big hit was a two-run single by Tyler Adams.
 
The Peacocks would score two unearned runs in the fifth before the Marauders tallied twice in the bottom of the inning. Steffan tripled to lead off the inning and scored when Herback's grounder was misplayed. Duane Kiyota Jr., doubled down the left field line to score the Marauders second run and U-Mary trailed 6-4.
 
The game would get away from the Marauders in the sixth as the Peacocks scored six times. Upper Iowa led off the inning with two bunt singles and a walk to load the bases. An error scored one run, a hit batter the second, and a single by Andrew Krause scored two more before a UIU hitter was retired.
 
Steffan recorded two of the Marauders eight hits.
 
Krause had four hits, drove in four and scored twice to lead Upper Iowa. Rudy Casillas scored three times for the Peacocks, who posted 14 hits in seven innings.
 
Upper Iowa kept its offense rolling in the second game, scoring six runs in the first three innings.
 
U-Mary finally found its offensive footing in the third inning, scoring six times to pull even at 6-6. Three walks and a hit batter scored the first Marauders run before Pletan followed with a one-out bases-loaded double to score three runs. Marice Burrough singled through the left side to score Pletan to pull within one.
 
The Marauders tied the game on a wild play. Burrough stole second and moved to third on a ball four wild pitch to Kiyota. Hustling out of the box, Kiyota sprinted though first base and went to second as the Peacocks tried to track down the ball. Upper Iowa tried to throw out Kiyota at second but he was safe on a great slide to the outfield side of the bag. Burrough hustled home for the sixth run of the inning.
 
Pletan gave the Marauders an 8-6 lead in the fourth when he crushed a bases-loaded single to left field. The ball hit just a couple feet below the top of the fence to just miss a grand slam.
 
Upper Iowa scored once in the fifth and twice in the sixth to regain the lead at 9-8.
 
A two-run double to right center by Kiyota pushed the Marauders back in front 10-9 in the home half of the sixth, but U-Mary was unable to hold its advantage.
 
With runners on the corners in the seventh, the Peacocks were able to even the game on a double steal. A run-scoring single by Juve Reyes followed to snap the tie. Mikey Henrichs then hit a solo home run in the ninth to pad the Peacocks lead. U-Mary left two runners on base in the eighth and one in the ninth but couldn't find a way to even the game.
 
Jeff Aders led the Marauders with three hits and two steals. Pletan added two hits, five runs batted in and two runs scored. Herback and Steffan both scored twice.
 
Sam Salveson was strong in relief for the Marauders, allowing one unearned run and no hits with two strikeouts in 2.1 innings.
 
Adams had two hits and drove in four runs for the Peacocks. Henrichs and Reyes both had two hits, two RBI, and scored twice.
 
Between games, the Marauders honored all four seniors: pitcher Matt Franck of Cresbard, SD, infielder Steve Pletan of Mandan, ND, left fielder Duane Kiyota Jr., of Pearl City, HI, and centerfielder Tyler Steffan of Dickinson, ND. All four graduated on Saturday. Franck, Kiyota and Steffan will all earn NSIC All-Academic honors again this spring and Pletan received all-conference honors as a junior.
 
The Marauders and Peacocks complete their weekend set with a doubleheader at 11 AM on Monday, April 30.
 
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