COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – University of Southern Indiana Softball displayed its extra-base power on Monday when the Screaming Eagles notched five extra-base hits toward a 6-3 series finale road win at Tennessee Tech University.
Southern Indiana (7-11, 1-2) came out swinging right in the first inning Monday. Following a double by sophomore outfielder Caroline Stapleton (Shirley, Indiana), senior first baseman Lexi Fair (Greenwood, Indiana) brought Stapleton home on a double to centerfield. Three batters later, junior infielder Hailey Gotshall (Lucerne, Indiana) drove in two more runs with a double down the left field line, giving USI a 3-0 advantage through the first inning.
Tennessee Tech (9-7) chipped away with a run in the third and another in the fourth inning to draw within one run of the Screaming Eagles, 3-2. Southern Indiana responded in the top of the fifth inning, grabbing a 5-2 lead with a pair of runs. Senior catcher Sammie Kihega (Greenfield, Indiana) led off the fifth with a solo home run, her second of the season.
USI added an insurance run in the top of the sixth inning when Gotshall recorded her second double and third RBI of the contest. With the Screaming Eagles ahead 6-2, Tennessee Tech threatened with the potential tying run at the plate in the bottom of the sixth, but USI junior pitcher Josie Newman (Indianapolis, Indiana) pitched out of the jam. The Golden Eagles scored their last run in the bottom of the seventh.
Southern Indiana scored its six runs off 10 hits, five of which went for extra bases. Gotshall finished with three RBIs on a pair of doubles. Kihega went 2-2 with a home run, and Stapleton also registered a two-hit game. Newman earned the pitching win, going to 6-5 this season. Newman struck out three and allowed three runs – two earned – in the complete game.
Tennessee Tech’s three runs came off six hits. Freshman pitcher Faith Rush dropped 1-3 after surrendering three runs in two innings of work.
Next, USI Softball will make its home debut at USI Softball Field Saturday and Sunday against Morehead State University in an OVC showdown. Saturday is a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m., and Sunday’s series finale is scheduled for Noon. There will also be a 2024 USI Softball magnet schedule giveaway throughout the weekend series.
