University of Southern Indiana Baseball overcame a 7-0 deficit to defeat Lewis University, 8-7, Sunday at the USI Baseball Field. The Screaming Eagles go to 19-13 overall and 15-9 GLVC, while the Flyers end the evening 15-13, 13-11 GLVC.
The first four frames did not go in the Eagles’ favor as the Flyers built a 7-0 lead with two in the second, two in the third, and four in the fourth.
USI began to creep back into the game with a three-run fifth to cut the deficit to 7-3. Senior leftfielder Bryce Krizan put the Eagles on the scoreboard with a two-run single before junior second baseman Ethan Hunter knocked in the third run with a sacrifice fly.
The score would hold at 7-3 until the seventh when Hunter hit a two-out three-run blast to left field to put the Eagles down one, 7-6. Senior shortstop Kobe Stephens and Krizan set the stage for Hunter with back-to-back walks.  Hunter finished the game with a team-high four RBIs and the home run.
USI moved in front for the first time in the contest in the eighth, scoring twice on two hits and the aid of three Flyer errors. Junior third baseman Michael Conner reached on an error and advanced to second on a failed pick off to start the frame. Conner moved to third on a senior rightfielder Manny Lopez‘s single before scoring the tying run on freshman designated hitter Gavin McLarty’s single.
Lopez, who had moved to second on the McLarty single and to third when senior catcher Wyatt Daly reached on a fielder’s choice, scored on the Flyer’s third fielding error of the inning to put USI in the lead for the first time, 8-7.
Freshman right-hander Carter Stamm made the 8-7 lead stand up by closing out the ninth inning for his second win of the year. Stamm (2-2) threw six strong frames of relief work, allowing an unearned run on four hits and one walk. The freshman also tied a career-best with five strikeouts.
Up Next for the Eagles:
The Eagles hit the home stretch of the 2021 regular season when they finish April and start May with a visit to #10 (NCBWA)/#14 (ABCA) Lindenwood University (April 23-25) and hosts the University of Indianapolis (April 30-May 2). The May 2 game versus UIndy is Senior Day for the Eagles. Live coverage can be accessed through GoUSIEagles.com.
