EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball lost the home opener to Bellarmine University, 4-2, Friday afternoon at the USI Baseball Field. The Screaming Eagles watch their record go to 3-3, while Bellarmine goes to 4-0.
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USI took the initial lead in the first frame when senior centerfielder Ren Tachioka (Japan) scored on a RBI-single to right center by junior first baseman Tucker Ebest  (Austin, Texas). Tachioka had moved into scoring position after reaching on an error and stealing second.
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The 1-0 lead would last until the top of the third when Bellarmine grabbed a 2-1 lead on a two-run home run. The Knights extended lead to 4-1 with another two runs in the sixth.
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USI cut into the deficit in the eighth with a tally to make the score 4-2. Junior rightfielder Drew Taylor (Jefferson, Indiana) entered the game as a pinch runner in the eighth and scored a sacrifice fly by Tachioka before USI left the bases jammed.
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In the ninth, Bellarmine set USI down in order in the ninth to notch its fourth win of the year. The Eagles were limited to just three hits in the game.
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On the mound, sophomore right-hander Tyler Hutson (Villa Hills, Kentucky) took the loss for the Eagles. Hutson (1-1) allowed four runs, three earned, on five hits and two walks, while striking out six in five-plus innings of work.
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