University of Southern Indiana Softball begins a 10-game homestand Friday at noon when it hosts the University of Wisconsin-Parkside for a Great Lakes Valley Conference doubleheader at the USI Softball Field.
The Screaming Eagles, who jumped two spots to No. 8 in the latest NFCA Top 25 Coaches’ Poll, also host Lewis University in a GLVC twinbwill Saturday at noon.
Live stats and GLVC Sports Network coverage can be accessed at GoUSIEagles.com.
USI Softball Notes
- Another 5-1 week for Eagles.USI Softball posted its third straight 5-1 record last week as the Eagles improved to 15-3 in their last 18 games. Junior outfielder Olivia Clark-Kittlesonhit .438 with two RBIs to lead the Eagles at the plate last week, while freshman pitcher Jennifer Leonhardt was 4-0 with a 1.09 ERA to lead USI in the circle.
- USI sweeps UIndy.The Eagles earned their first doubleheader sweep of Indianapolis since 2009 with their wins Sunday. USI was just 4-20 against the Greyhounds since 2010 heading into Sunday’s twinbill.
- Eagles’ loss to SJC a rarity.USI’s 4-1 loss to Saint Joseph’s last Saturday was a rarity. Not only was it the first time USI has lost a game by more than one run, but it was the first time USI has lost the opening game of a doubleheader this year.
- USI begins 10-game homestand. The Eagles open a 10-game homestand when they host Wisconsin-Parkside Friday. It is USI’s longest homestand of the year.
- USI remains perfect against Top 25. USI improved to 5-0 against teams in the Top 25 this year with its doubleheader sweep of Indianapolis. The Eagles began the year with a doubleheader sweep of defending NCAA II champion and No. 1-ranked North Alabama and had a 5-0 win over then No. 7 Grand Valley State at The Spring Games.
- Bradley had productive week.Sophomore outfielder/pitcher Caitlyn Bradleyhad a productive week for the Eagles at the plate and in the circle. At the plate, Bradley had a double, two home runs and six RBIs. In two appearances and 7.2 innings of work in the circle, Bradley did not give up a run and allowed just two hits while picking up a save.
- Push for 40.USI is just six wins shy of reaching the 40-win plateau for the second time in program history and the first time since going 48-17 in 1998.
- Eagles jump two spots in Top 25.The Eagles jumped two spots to No. 8 in the latest NFCA Top 25 poll, marking the highest ranking in program history. USI is the only GLVC team in this week’s national ranking, while Indianapolis is receiving votes after dropping out of the poll.
- NCAA Power Rankings.USI Softball has been noticed by the NCAA as the Eagles were sitting at No. 12 in its first Power Rankings of the Year. Updated power rankings will be released Wednesday afternoon.
- Single-season marks in jeopardy.Freshman pitcher Jennifer Leonhardthas a shot to break Amy Stetler’s single-season school records for wins (25) and shutouts (13) this year. Leonhardt has racked up 20 wins and 10 shutouts with three weeks to go in the regular season.
- Fossett quietly having career year.Junior first baseman Marleah Fossettis quietly putting together a career year. Fossett is currently second in the GLVC in batting average (.414) and third in on-base percentage (.537).
- Bean ball.Junior first baseman Marleah Fossettand junior third baseman Mena Fulton rank No. 1 and No. 2 in the GLVC in hit by pitches. Fossett has been hit by a league-high 15 pitches, while Fulton has been pelted 11 times.
- Leonhardt tosses no-hitter.Freshman pitcher Jennifer Leonhardttossed USI Softball’s first no-hitter in more than four years when she blanked Illinois Springfield. Brooke Harmening, USI’s volunteer pitching coach, tossed USI’s last no-hitter against UW-Parkside March 23, 2013.
- Shutting down GLVC offenses.Leonhardt has dominated GLVC hitters to the point that being named GLVC Pitcher of the Week with a 1.09 ERA was somewhat of a down week. That is because Leonhardt saw her league-best 0.31 ERA in GLVC-only games rise to 0.59, and her league-low opponent batting average in GLVC-only games go from .139 to .166.
- Eagles racking up GLVC accolades.Freshman pitcher Jennifer Leonhardt earned GLVC Pitcher of the Week honors for the third time this year after earning the award February 20 and March 20. In addition to Leonhardt, senior catcher Haley Hodges (March 27/April 3) has been named GLVC Player of the Week as has senior shortstop Lexi Reese (March 13) and sophomore second baseman Claire Johnson (February 27).
- Hodges named to Player of Year watch list.Senior catcher Haley Hodgesis one of 50 student-athletes from across the country to be selected to the watch list for the NFCA/Schutt Sports Division II National Player of the Year award. Hodges, a preseason All-American by Fastpitch News, was the Diamond Sports Division II Catcher of the Year as a junior in 2016.
