Minot State and Upper Iowa had planned to play a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference doubleheader Sunday at Herb Parker Stadium.

However, Minot’s weather had other ideas.

With temperatures in the low 40s and wind gusts flirting with 30 miles per hour, playing two seven-inning games was a pipe dream.

Instead, the Beavers and Peacocks played one five-inning affair, which Upper Iowa won 4-2.

“I think both teams had to overcome some adversity with the cold,” Upper Iowa senior pitcher Jacqueline Flood said. “I thought we played hard for the five innings we had. I don’t think our bats were as good as they could have been, but it definitely was a good win for us. We wanted to play two, but it’s nice to get one.”

The Peacocks logged just five hits, but got two big swings.

And they were the difference.

Senior first baseman Erica Kirgan cranked a two-run homer to left in the first inning, and junior right fielder Katie Sammons hit one of her own to left center in the second.

“I thought we did what we needed to do,” Upper Iowa coach Amanda Bradberry said. “I’m not 100 percent pleased. We didn’t make a great adjustment at the plate. We had two hits. Two big hits.”

And those two big hits were the only blemish on an otherwise strong pitching performance by MSU junior Clarissa Ramirez.

“She was two pitches away form throwing a shutout,” MSU coach Bill Triplett said. “She battled, and that’s one thing about her. She has a great attitude. She may not be the best pitcher in the world, but she has a great attitude.”

And a bounce-back attitude, at that.

Ramirez had a rough go of it on Saturday, yielding five first-inning runs against Winona State en route to allowing 10 earned runs in a losing effort.

Junior Alyssa Cornejo provided the rally attempt, as her two-run shot in the second inning cut the Beavers’ deficit in half.

The dinger was her team-leading eighth of the year, and second in as many games.

“She stayed inside the ball more and she got into a couple the last two days,” Triplett said. “She has a good stick if she stays fundamental.”

Minot State travels for a doubleheader at Minnesota State-Moorhead on Tuesday.

John Denega covers Minot High athletics, Minot State softball and general assignments. Follow him on Twitter @JohnDenega_MDN.