HONOLULU – University of Southern Indiana Softball opened its 2025 season Thursday with a 4-3 victory in comeback fashion against Saint Louis University at the Hawai’i Paradise Classic.
Southern Indiana (1-0) got its offense going early with three consecutive two-out hits in the top of the first inning, but the Screaming Eagles could not push across a run. Saint Louis’ (0-1) offense loaded the bases in the first and second innings, but USI senior starting pitcher Josie Newman worked out of the jams in each frame.
The Billikens broke through with a tally in the third and fourth innings to take a 2-0 lead. However, the Eagles answered to get a run back in the top of the fifth after junior outfielder Caroline Stapleton singled and later came around to score on an RBI single by Newman.
The momentum carried over into the sixth for USI with a crooked number on the scoreboard. Junior designated player Olivia Money led off with a walk. Senior Whitley Hunter, who came up to pinch hit, drove Money in on an RBI double and tied the game 2-2. A few batters later and with two outs, senior outfielder Kennedy Nalley doubled to bring Hunter home and give Southern Indiana a 3-2 advantage. Another two-base pinch-hit knock in the next at-bat by freshman Grace Huffman scored Nalley to increase the lead to 4-2.
Saint Louis did not go down without a fight. The Billikens loaded the bases again in the bottom of the seventh inning. A bases-loaded walk made it a one-run game, 4-3, with two outs on the board. Newman induced a groundout to first for the final out and seal USI’s season-opening win.
Offensively, Nalley and Newman led USI with a pair of hits and an RBI. USI totaled four runs on nine hits. Newman also recorded her first win and complete game in the pitching circle. The senior struck out seven and allowed three runs off four hits.
Saint Louis’ sophomore pitcher Isabel Royle took the loss in relief. Royle surrendered all four runs on five hits in three innings of work. Senior pitcher Taylor Hochman pitched four shutout innings and allowed four hits toward a no-decision.
The Screaming Eagles return to action tomorrow from Hawai’i for two games on Friday. USI will face Santa Clara University at 6:30 p.m. CT and then take on host University of Hawai’i at 11 p.m. CT. Links for live stats coverage are available at usiscreamingeagles.com.
