University of Southern Indiana Baseball rallied from behind twice and completed the sweep of Maryville University, 8-6, Saturday evening at the USI Baseball Field. USI moves its record to 29-19 overall and 21-12 in the GLVC, while Maryville goes to 27-20, 22-11 GLVC
The victory puts USI in the six slot of the GLVC standings. The league’s post-season eight-team tournament bracket will be announced Tuesday after the three game-series between conference front-running University of Illinois Springfield and Bellarmine University Sunday and Monday. The GLVC Tournament is scheduled for May 9-12 in Ozark, Missouri.
.
The Eagles got out in front in the bottom of the first before the Saints posted their first lead of the game with a three-spot in the top of the second. USI cut the deficit in the bottom of the second to 3-2 on a blast by senior first baseman Nathan Kuester (Rockport, Indiana), his seventh home run of the season, and regained the lead, 4-3, with pair of runs in the third.
Maryville tied the game in the sixth, 4-4, and re-took the lead, 6-4, with two in the seventh. USI bounced back to regain the lead, 7-6, with three runs on three hits and two walks in the bottom of the seventh, pulling back in front on a sacrifice fly by freshman catcher Lucas McNew (Floyds Knobs, Indiana).
USI sealed the 8-6 victory with a final run in the eighth on a RBI single by senior designated hitter Jayden Beshears (Evansville, Indiana).
For the game at the plate, Kuester led the USI hitters with three hits, including a home run; three runs; and a RBI. Beshears also had a team-high two RBIs.
USI senior left-hander Chase Partain (Evansville, Indiana) came out of the bullpen to win his fourth game of the season. Partain (4-5) threw three innings, allowing two unearned runs on two hits and a walk. He also struck out two.
Freshman right-hander Garrett Welch (New Castle, Indiana) started for USI and got the no-decision. Welch gave up four runs on four hits and two walks, in addition to striking out five batters.
Prior to tonight’s game, USI celebrated Senior Day by honoring the eight seniors – second baseman Jacob Fleming, right-handed pitcher Austin Gossmann; outfielder LaWan Rollins; right-handed pitcher Austin Krizan; right-handed Dalton Lewis; Beshears, Kuester, and Partain.
