EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Softball opened its 2024 home schedule at USI Softball Field with a doubleheader sweep on Saturday, as the Screaming Eagles won 4-1 in game 1 and 2-1 in nine innings in game 2 against Morehead State University.
In the first game, Southern Indiana (9-11, 3-2 OVC) struck first with three runs in the bottom of the second inning. Freshman third baseman Shelby Stivers (Louisville, Kentucky) started the scoring with a bases-loaded RBI single. USI then took advantage of a Morehead State (7-10, 1-4 OVC) error and a bases-loaded walk to score the other two runs in the second.
Meanwhile, junior pitcher Josie Newman (Indianapolis, Indiana) was wheeling and dealing. Newman registered two strikeouts in each of the first four innings for eight total punchouts through four.
Then in the bottom of the sixth inning, Newman got involved in the offensive attack. Newman singled to centerfield to drive in an insurance run to give USI a 4-1 lead. The right-handed pitcher and the Screaming Eagles closed out the game from there.
Southern Indiana posted four runs on four hits in game 1. Senior first baseman Lexi Fair (Greenwood, Indiana) led USI with a 2-2 game at the plate. Morehead State tallied one run off one hit.
Newman improved to 7-5 with a complete game, striking out 12 in the one-hitter. Morehead State freshman pitcher Addie Stem dropped to 3-8 on the season, surrendering four runs – three earned – off four hits and four walks in six innings pitched.
In the second game, Southern Indiana pushed across the game’s first run once again. Senior catcher Sammie Kihega (Greenfield, Indiana) singled home junior infielder Hailey Gotshall (Lucerne, Indiana) from second base to put USI up early, 1-0. Morehead State answered to tie the game in the second frame.
The game settled into a pitcher’s duel between USI junior pitcher Whitley Hunter (Nashville, Illinois) and Morehead State sophomore pitcher Jessie Begley. Begley took a no-decision, going 4.2 innings with one unearned run allowed before handing the ball off to freshman pitcher Cassiti Baroni.
With Hunter pitching a gem in her best start of the season for USI and Baroni not budging in relief for Morehead State, the game remained tied at one through seven innings to force the contest into extras.
In the top of the seventh and ninth innings, Hunter stranded a potential go-ahead runner at third base in each inning. Hunter’s stellar performance was rewarded in the home half of the ninth inning. After three consecutive singles to load the bases, Fair punched a ball through the right side to score senior outfielder Mackenzie Bedrick (Brownsburg, Indiana) from third to give USI a 2-1 win and its third walk-off victory of the season.
Southern Indiana recorded two runs on 10 hits, while Morehead State scored one run on seven hits. The two sides combined to leave 22 runners on base. Offensively, Fair and Gotshall had two-hit games in the second game of the twin bill.
With the sensational outing, Hunter moved to 2-3 in her first complete game this season. The right-hander struck out eight batters. For Morehead State, Baroni was charged with her first loss this season. Baroni went 3.1 innings of relief and was responsible for the game-winning run reaching base.
The Screaming Eagles conclude their weekend home series against Morehead State Sunday at Noon from USI Softball Field. Sunday’s series finale can be seen with an ESPN+ subscription and heard on 95.7 The Spin. Live stats and coverage links can be found on the USI Softball schedule page on usiscreamingeagles.com.
