The University of Southern Indiana baseball team was dominating in sweeping a doubleheader from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, 7-1 and 6-0, Saturday afternoon at the USI Baseball Field. USI watched its record go to 14-14 overall and 7-3 in the GLVC, while UW-Parkside goes to 12-12, 6-4 GLVC.
The Screaming Eagles exploded for six runs in the fifth inning and cruised to a 7-1 victory in the opener.
After taking an early 1-0 lead in the first inning, USI scored six times on four hits in the fifth that was highlighted by a three-blast to left field off the bat of junior third baseman Sam Griggs (Evansville, Indiana). The home run was the first of the season for Griggs.
USI senior right-hander Lucas Barnett (Sellersburg, Indiana) sailed to his fourth win of the year on the mound. Barnett (4-0) allowed one run on eight hits and a walk, while striking out four in his eight innings of work.
In the nightcap, senior right-handed pitcher Kyle Griffin (Morganfield, Kentucky) shut out the Rangers on five hits in leading USI to a 6-0 victory. The win got the Eagles back to the .500 mark for the second time since the second game of the 2017.
Griffin (3-3) won his second-straight decision and also reached the .500 mark for the first time this spring. He scattered five hits over seven innings, striking out seven batters, and never allowed a base runner past second base.
Offensively, USI scored three in the second, two in the third, and one in the fifth to close the 14th win of the year. Sophomore catcher Logan Brown (Mt. Vernon, Indiana) led the Eagles at the plate in game two, going two-for-two with three RBIs, a run scored, and a two-run triple.
The Eagles and the Rangers conclude the four-game set Sunday with a noon doubleheader. For up to date information on live coverage of USI Baseball, visit GoUSIEagles.com.
