Penguins’ seven-run fourth inning hurts Screaming Eagles on Sunday
ROCK HILL, S.C. – University of Southern Indiana Softball concluded its weekend at the Winthrop University Coach Cooke Memorial Tournament with a 7-4 loss to Youngstown State University on Sunday.
Southern Indiana’s (3-11) weekend finale against Youngstown State (2-13) began well for the Screaming Eagles. Senior pitcher Josie Newman held the Penguins scoreless with five strikeouts through the first two innings.
USI went on to score the game’s first run in the bottom of the second inning on a sac fly by freshman catcher Jordan Mackey, who scored senior third baseman Whitley Hunter. USI scored another run in the third to take a 2-0 lead.
The tides shifted heavily in the Penguins’ favor in the top of the fourth inning. Youngstown State posted a big inning with seven runs to charge ahead, 7-2. Youngstown State walked six times and had a three-RBI double and a two-RBI single to help catapult the Penguins in front.
Southern Indiana did get one run back in the bottom of the fourth on a solo home run to left by sophomore outfielder Kate Satkoski, her second of the tournament and season. USI scored another run for the fourth consecutive inning in the bottom of the fifth to narrow the gap down to three, 7-4, on a sac fly by junior outfielder Olivia Money. However, that was all the scoring could muster for the rest of the game.
Southern Indiana totaled four runs on six hits. Satkoski collected two hits, including the home run, and a run scored in addition to the RBI. The top three in the order each tallied a hit in the game.
Newman (3-5) wound up with the loss, giving up the seven Youngstown State runs – six earned – in the fourth inning. The right-hander went 3.2 innings and struck out nine. In relief, freshman hurler Kylie Witthaus threw 3.1 scoreless innings. The left-hander struck out three.
Youngstown State had four hits toward its seven runs. Sophomore pitcher Autumn Behlke (2-4) was credited with the win, going five innings with two strikeouts and allowing four runs – three earned. Fellow sophomore pitcher Maci Boggess tossed the last two innings to record the save.
Southern Indiana will next set its sights on the start of Ohio Valley Conference play and its home-opening series next weekend against Western Illinois University. Saturday’s doubleheader against the Leathernecks starts at Noon. Sunday’s series finale is also scheduled for a Noon start. The entire series can be seen with a subscription to ESPN+ and heard on The Spin 95.7 FM.
