University of Southern Indiana Softball opens its 2017 home schedule as well as Great Lakes Valley Conference play this weekend in a position it has never been in before: the top 10 of the National Fastpitch Coaches’ Association Top 25 poll.
The Screaming Eagles (17-3) jumped six spots to No. 10 in the latest poll as they host William Jewell College in a doubleheader Saturday at noon at the USI Softball Field. USI also hosts Rockhurst University in a twinbill Sunday at noon.
Live stats as well as GLVC Sports Network coverage can be accessed on GoUSIEagles.com.
USI Softball Notes
• Eagles bring nine-game win streak into GLVC-opener. USI Softball brings a nine-game winning streak into its GLVC-opener Saturday against William Jewell. It is the Eagles’ longest winning streak since USI won 13 straight in April of 2015. USI won a program-best 18 straight games in 2005 after opening the year with eight straight losses.
• Eagles earn highest ranking in program history. The Eagles jumped six spots to No. 10 in the latest NFCA Top 25 poll. It is the highest ranking in program history for the Eagles, whose previous high was No. 13. In addition to USI, the GLVC is represented in the NFCA Top 25 by No. 17 Missouri-St. Louis and No. 20 Indianapolis.
• Hodges closing in on HR, RBI records. Senior catcher Haley Hodges is closing in on USI’s all-time career records for home runs and RBIs. Hodges is just one home run shy of Rachel Bowling’s career-record of 38 and just three RBIs away from Bowling’s career-mark of 144.
• Eagles racking up GLVC accolades. Senior shortstop Lexi Reese became the third USI Softball player to earn a GLVC weekly honor when she was named Player of the Week on Monday. Reese joins sophomore second baseman Claire Johnson (February 27–Player) and freshmant pitcher Jennifer Leonhardt (February 20–Pitcher) in earning a GLVC weekly award.
• USI pitching staff off to strong start. USI pitchers have been getting the job done in the first 20 games of the season as the staff has a 1.79 team ERA, good enough for second in the league, and a GLVC-best .206 opponent batting average. Freshman pitcher Jennifer Leonhardt and sophomore lefty Courtney Atkisson have been neck-and-neck in ERA and opponent batting average. Leonhardt has a team-best 1.74 ERA to go with a .203 opponent batting average, while Atkisson has a team-best .201 opponent batting average and three shutouts to go along with a 1.75 ERA.
• Productive lineup. The Eagles have eight players in their lineup with at least one home run this year and nine players in their lineup with at least five RBIs. USI leads the GLVC in batting average (.343), runs per game (6.85) and on-base percentage (.419), and is second in slugging percentage (.503).
