EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball lost the series opener with Oakland University, 4-2, Friday evening at the USI Baseball Field. The Screaming Eagles watch their record go to 5-8, while Oakland goes to 4-8.

After spotting the Golden Grizzles a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, USI grabbed a 2-1 lead on a pair of solo home runs by senior centerfielder Evan Kahre (Evansville, Indiana) and junior first baseman Tucker Ebest (Austin, Texas). Kahre led off the Eagles’ first inning with his first home run of the season, while Ebest led off the fourth inning with his team-best fourth of the year.

The score would remain in USI’s favor until the top of the seventh when the Grizzlies scored three times to re-take the lead, 4-2. The Eagles missed a chance to chip away at the deficit in the eighth, leaving the bags jammed, and in the ninth, leaving a runner on base.

USI sophomore right-hander Tyler Hutson (Villa Hills, Kentucky) took the hard luck loss for the Eagles after departing the game with the score tied, 2-2, and the eventual winning run on second. Hutson (1-2) allowed three runs on four hits and four walks in the start, while striking out a career-best seven in 6.1 innings of work.

Up Next for the Eagles:
USI and Oakland continue the three-game series Saturday with a 2 p.m. first pitch before concluding the set with a noon game Sunday.