EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana senior centerfielder Khi Holiday singled in the game-winner in the ninth to cap a comeback victory over Bellarmine University, 10-9, Wednesday evening at the USI Baseball Field. USI is 19-22 overall, while Bellarmine is 10-31.
Trailing 9-6 going into the bottom of the ninth, junior first baseman Patrick McLellan singled to lead off the rally before singles by junior catcher Charlie Marisca and sophomore rightfielder Cameron Boyd to load the bases. Junior leftfielder Hunter Miller drew an RBI walk to get the scoring going to make the score, 9-7.
Junior pinch hitter Kannon Coakley drove in senior pinch runner BJ Banyon to make the score, 9-8, while junior pinch hitter Micajah Wall tied the game, 9-9, with a sacrifice fly and set the stage for Holiday.
Holiday sent a high hopper over the pitcher and beat the throw as Miller scored the game-winning run for USI’s 10-9 victory.
The four-run rally in the ninth was the fourth time USI had to battle back to take the lead in the game.
Trailing 2-0 in the second, Boyd hit the first of his two home runs in the contest to knot the game at 2-2. He would follow with a three-run blast in the fifth to give USI the lead 5-4. The home runs were Boyd’s third and fourth of the season.
Boyd finished the game with a team-best four-for-five at the plate with three runs scored and five RBIs. The four hits, two home runs, and five RBIs were career-highs for Boyd.
Bellarmine scored two in the seventh and three in the eighth to lead, 9-6, and set the stage for USI in the ninth.
On the mound, senior right-hander Hiroyuki Yamada picked up his first win of the season in relief. Yamada threw one inning, allowing a walk and striking out one.
USI freshman right-hander Colin Wolfe started and received a no-decision. The freshman allowed two unearned runs on a hit and three walks over three innings of work.
