University of Southern Indiana leftfielder Drake McNamara (Mt. Vernon, Indiana) broke a pair of home run records and tied another in leading the Screaming Eagles to a doubleheader sweep of the University of Indianapolis, 24-7 and 13-10, Sunday in Indianapolis, Indiana. USI watched its record go to 29-19 overall and 15-9 in the GLVC, while UIndy ends the day 28-21, 10-14 GLVC.
Game 1:Â
USI senior leftfielder Drake McNamara blasted three home runs to tie a USI single-game record and set a new USI single-season mark with his third to lead the Eagles to a 24-7 win in the first game. He finished the opening game four-for-five with a career-high three home runs, a double, and a career-high six RBIs.
McNamara’s 15 home runs (16 after a game two shot) broke the 25-year old record set by Kevin Brown in 1993 and tied by Dylan Mooney in 2010, while the three home runs in a game tied the mark set by Van Hook in 1984 and tied by Dennis Humphrey in 1992 and Dylan Mooney in 2009.
The Eagles scored in six of the seven innings, including a six-run third and a 10-run seventh to seal the victory. Senior rightfielder Buddy Johnson (Shelbyville, Kentucky) hit his first collegiate home run, while freshman shortstop Ethan Hunter (Terre Haute, Indiana) crushed his third of the season to join McNamara’s round-tripper parade.
On the mound, senior right-hander Nick Coudret (Newburgh, Indiana) won his second start of the season after going the first 3.1 innings. Coudret (6-2) allowed four runs, one earned, on five hits, while striking out six batters.
Game 2:Â
Senior leftfielder Drake McNamara broke the USI career home run record with a solo blast in the fifth and the Eagles rallied three times to defeat the Greyhounds in 11 innings, 13-10. USI rallied from deficits of 2-0, 5-2, 7-5, and 10-7 before senior first baseman Nick Gobert (Jasper, Indiana) gave the Eagles their first lead of the nightcap with a two-run double in the 11th.
USI senior rightfielder Buddy Johnson sealed the victory in the 11th with a RBI-single for the 13-10 final.
In addition to McNamara’s blast in the fifth, the USI comeback featured a solo shot by senior third baseman Sam Griggs (Evansville, Indiana) in the seventh and a three-run explosion by junior catcher Logan Brown (Mt. Vernon, Indiana) in the eighth.
On the bump, USI senior right-hander Kyle Griffin (Morganfield, Kentucky) got the win in relief. Griffin (4-3) scattered three hits and three walks over 4.1 innings work, while striking out six.
Upcoming GLVC Tournament:Â USI starts the GLVC Tournament, which runs May 10-13 in Springfield, Missouri, as the number three seed from the East Division. The Eagles likely opponent in the opening round will be the West Division’s Quincy University.
