The University of Southern Indiana baseball team pushed its overall record over .500 for the first time in 2017 with a doubleheader sweep of the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, 4-3 and 14-3, Sunday afternoon at the USI Baseball Field. USI watched its record go to 16-14 overall and 9-3 in the GLVC, while UW-Parkside goes to 12-14, 6-6 GLVC.
USI senior designated hitter Jaylen Quarles (Indianapolis, Indiana) provided the offense for the Screaming Eagles in the 4-3 opening game win. Quarles gave USI a 3-1 lead in the fifth with the two-run triple to left center before driving in game-winning run with a bases-loaded, three-two walk-off walk in the bottom of the seventh.
The victory on the mound went to senior right-hander Justin Watts (Bryan, Ohio), who picked up the win in relief. Watts (3-1) allowed one run on one hit in the seventh, while striking out one to get the final five outs of the game.
Senior right-hander Colin Nowak (Carol Stream, Illinois) started and got the no decision for the Eagles. Nowak allowed two runs on five hits and struck out three in 5.1 innings of work.
In the nightcap, the Eagles pounded out a season-high 16 hits to defeat the Rangers, 14-3, and complete the four-game sweep. The victory also put the Eagles two games over .500 for the first time in 2017.
USI junior designated hitter Drake McNamara (Mt. Vernon, Indiana) and junior rightfielder Nick Gobert(Jasper, Indiana) combined to drive in nine of the 14 runs to lead the Eagles offensively. McNamara finished the game two-for-four with five RBIs and a double, while Gobert was three-for-four with four RBIs and a double.
The Eagles rallied from a 2-0 deficit in the second inning with two runs in the bottom half of the frame before scoring three in the third, two in the fourth, four in the fifth, and sealed the win with three in the seventh.
USI sophomore right-hander Austin Krizan (Mt. Vernon, Indiana) posted his second win of the year with six strong innings on the bump. Krizan (2-1) allowed two runs on four hits and a walk, while striking out one.
USI returns to non-conference play and the road Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. when it visits the University of Missouri-St. Louis. The Eagles increased its all-time series lead over the Tritons to 51-42 with a 6-5 win at the USI Baseball Field on March 22.
The next home series at the USI Baseball Field is April 14-15 when the Eagles host the Bearcats of McKendree University. USI leads the all-time series with McKendree, 20-12, after taking three of
