The University of Southern Indiana baseball team got back on track by sweeping a doubleheader from the University of Illinois Springfield, 4-2 and 10-2, Friday evening at Lenz Field in Jacksonville, Illinois. USI watched its record go to 11-12 overall and 4-2 in the GLVC, while Illinois Springfield goes to 14-11, 4-2 GLVC.
The Screaming Eagles got back on track in the opening game with the 4-2 victory. USI scored once in the third and seventh before sealing the victory with two tallies in the eighth.
USI senior right-hander Colin Nowak (Carol Stream, Illinois) was dominate on the mound in earning his third win of the year. Nowak (3-3) allowed one run on five hits and one walk, while striking out a season-high eight batters in seven innings.
Senior right-hander Justin Watts (Bryan, Ohio) closed out the final five outs for the Eagles to record his third save of the year. Watts, who got the Eagles out of a first and third one-out jam in the eighth, set down four of five batters and picked off a runner.
At the plate, sophomore shortstop Jacob Fleming (Evansville, Indiana) led the way with a three-for-three performance and scored twice. Junior centerfielder Buddy Johnson (Shelbyville, Illinois) and junior rightfielder Nick Gobert (Jasper, Indiana) followed with two hits each, while senior designated hitter Jaylen Quarles (Indianapolis, Indianapolis) drove a team-best two RBIs.
In the nightcap, the Eagles broke a 2-2 tie with an eight-run sixth inning to complete the doubleheader sweep with a 10-2 win. USI scored twice in the second inning on a two-run blast by sophomore catcher Logan Brown (Mt. Vernon, Indiana) before sealing the win with the eight-run explosion that was highlighted by a three-run triple by Johnson.
Brown, whose home run was his first as an Eagle, joined Johnson with three RBIs in the nightcap.
USI junior right-hander Kyle Griffin (Morganfield, Kentucky) made the most of the Eagles offensive explosion to post his second win of the season. Griffin (2-3), who allowed the two runs on six hits, struck out a season-high 11 batters in his first complete game of the year.
The Eagles will look to get back to the .500 mark for the first time since second game of season when they complete the four-game series with Prairie Stars at noon Saturday with a doubleheader at the UIS Baseball Field in Springfield, Illinois. For up to date information on coverage of USI Baseball, visit GoUSIEagles.com
