OWENSBORO, Ky. – The University of Southern Indiana baseball team could not overcome an early deficit and lost to Kentucky Wesleyan College, 13-7, Tuesday afternoon in Owensboro, Kentucky. USI saw its record go to 19-13 overall, while KWC ends the day with a 21-10 mark.
The Screaming Eagles were down early as the Panthers built a 7-0 lead with three runs in the first and four more in the second inning. USI got its shot in the third inning, cutting the deficit to 7-4. Senior third baseman Trent Gunn (Tell City, Indiana) highlighted the four-run frame with a two-run double to left field.
The Panthers, however, responded with a tally in the bottom of the fourth, two more in the fifth, and one more in the sixth to build an 11-4 lead. The Eagles got one of the runs back in the top of the seventh when Gunn struck again, this time with an RBI-single up the middle to make the score 11-5.
After KWC bounced back to increase its lead to 13-5 in the bottom of the seventh, the Eagles continued to try and close the gap in the eighth. Sophomore designated hitter Drake McNamara (Mt. Vernon, Indiana) and Gunn singled and walked in a run, respectively, before the rally stalled and USI left the bases loaded to end its half of the eighth.
USI would mount another challenge in the ninth, loading the bases with one out, before KWC escaped with the win when senior catcher Ryan Bertram (Zionsville, Indiana) hit into a game-ending double play.
The offensive leaders for USI in the loss was Gunn, who ended the game with four RBIs, and sophomore second baseman Sam Griggs (Evansville, Indiana), who was three-for-three with two runs scored and an RBI. Senior shortstop Kyle Niemeier (Evansville, Indiana) extended his team-best hitting streak to eight games with a pair of hits.
On the mound, junior right-hander Mike Ringer (Springfield, Illinois) took the loss in his first start of the year. Ringer (2-2) allowed four runs on three hits and two walks in one-plus innings of work. He was followed by five more Eagle hurlers, who allowed the final nine earned runs in the non-conference setback.
USI remains on the road and returns to GLVC action this weekend when it travels to McKendree University for a four-game series. The Eagles and Bearcats are slated to play noon doubleheaders on Saturday and Sunday.
