USI drops pair on second day of Hawai’i Paradise Classic
HONOLULU – University of Southern Indiana Softball had a tough second day at the Hawai’i Paradise Classic on Friday, as the Screaming Eagles suffered a pair of losses against Santa Clara University, 9-0, and the University of Hawai’i, 7-2.
The first two innings went by scoreless in the day’s first game against Santa Clara (1-2). The Broncos tallied the game’s first runs in the top of the third inning, scoring three runs on four hits including two extra-base hits.
Santa Clara added to its lead with a single run in the fourth, fifth, and sixth frames. The Broncos generated extra insurance with another three-run inning in the top of the seventh inning.
Southern Indiana (1-2) scattered four hits in the game, including a first-career hit by freshman Jinnis Gerth. Senior pitcher Whitley Hunter (0-1) was dealt the loss in the pitching circle after giving up four runs in four innings pitched. Freshman pitcher Kylie Witthaus and junior pitcher Maddison Depencier made their USI debuts and combined to finish the last three innings in relief.
Santa Clara registered nine runs off 12 hits. Junior pitcher Hazyl Gray (1-0) was awarded the win after hurling 4.2 shutout innings.
USI later faced tournament host Hawai’i (3-0) in the nightcap of Friday’s slate of games. The Rainbow Wahine opened the game’s scoring in the bottom of the second inning with a two-run triple.
Southern Indiana got the two runs back in the third. Following two singles in the frame, senior outfielder Kennedy Nalley put a ball in play and an error in centerfield allowed the two USI baserunners to score and tie the game, 2-2. A Hawai’i sac fly in the home half of the third put the host back ahead, 3-2.
Meanwhile, senior pitcher Josie Newman was utilizing her strikeout stuff. Through four innings, the right-hander had 11 strikeouts and struck out the side in three of the four innings.
Newman added two more strikeouts in the fifth but ran into some trouble in the sixth inning. Hawai’i tacked onto its lead with a four-run inning, including a two-run home run, and went on to close out the game.
USI scored two runs on three hits. Junior outfielder Caroline Stapleton had two of the three hits. Newman (1-1) was charged with the loss, surrendering seven runs and striking out 13 batters in a complete game of six innings pitched.
Hawai’i scored seven runs on nine hits. Redshirt senior pitcher Addison Kostrencich (2-0) went the distance, giving up two unearned runs and striking out seven.
With the conclusion of the round-robin format on Friday, the Screaming Eagles wrap up action at the Hawai’i Paradise Classic on Saturday in a seeded bracket format. USI will play Hawai’i again Saturday at 4:30 p.m. CT. The result of the game determines if USI’s second game on Saturday is in the championship or consolation games. Links for live stats coverage are available at usiscreaming
