The Screaming Eagles (32-16, 18-6 GLVC), however, suffered a 3-1 setback in game two as Lewis forged the doubleheader split.
Game 1
USI got a one-out double from junior pitcher Jennifer Leonhardt (Louisville, Kentucky) and a two-out, RBI-single from senior outfielder/pitcher Caitlyn Bradley (Forest, Indiana) in the top of the first inning to take a 1-0 lead.
Lewis (20-28, 10-14 GLVC), however, put together a pair of hits in the fourth inning to score a run and even the score at 1-1.
The two teams traded runs in the sixth inning, with junior outfielder Allison Schubert (Nicholasville, Kentucky) giving the Eagles a brief 2-1 lead with a solo shot in the top of the frame.
Each team had scoring opportunities in the seventh inning and the Eagles had a runner in scoring position in the top of the eighth, but neither squad was able to push a run across the plate as the contest moved into the ninth inning.
With two outs and the bases loaded, Schoolcraft, who was down to her last strike, hit a shot over the leftfield fence to give the Eagles a 6-2 lead. The grand slam was the first of Schoolcraft’s young career and USI’s first grand slam of the year.
USI, which took advantage of an error earlier in the inning, surrendered a run in the bottom of the ninth, but held on for the game-one win.
Leonhardt (19-6) earned the win after giving up three runs, two earned, off eight hits in nine innings of work. She struck out eight batters as she tied Brooke Harmening for first all-time at USI with her 74th career win.
