Eagles grounded by Panthers, 11-7

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball could not hold off Kentucky Wesleyan College Tuesday evening, falling 11-7, at the USI Baseball Field on Tri-State Hot Stove League Night. The Screaming Eagles go to 15-26 overall, while the Panthers are 18-24.
 
USI spotted KWC a 3-0 lead to start the contest before exploding for six unanswered runs for a 6-3 advantage. The Eagles started scoring in their half of the first inning when senior shortstop Ethan Hunter (Terre Haute, Indiana) hit a two-run blast to cut the deficit to 3-2.
 
The round-tripper was Hunter’s third home run of the season and 17^th of his career. The 17 home runs is tied for 10^th all-time in USI history.
 
The Eagles knotted the game, 3-3, in the bottom of the second on a sacrifice fly by junior centerfielder Evan Kahre (Evansville, Indiana) before taking the lead, 6-3, with a three-run eruption in the third.
 
USI sophomore first baseman Michael Conner (Moline, Illinois) kicked off the scoring in the third with an RBI-single for the Eagles’ fourth tally of the game. Sophomore designated hitter Daniel Lopez (Dominican Republic) highlighted the frame with a two-run triple off the left field wall to post the fifth and sixth runs.
 
After KWC closed the gap with a tally in the fourth, the Eagles regained the three-run advantage, 7-4, with a tally in the fifth when Lopez crossed the plate on an RBI-triple by sophomore third baseman Tyler Wheeler (Sellersburg, Indiana).
 
The Panthers, however, were not done, rallying to close the gap with a pair of runs in the sixth and took the lead for good, 11-7, with a five-run eighth. KWC would strand three Eagles on base in the final two innings to get the win.
 
On the mound, freshman right-hander Tyler Hutson (Villa Hills, Kentucky) took the loss in relief. Hutson (1-2) allowed two runs on one hit and two walks, while striking out one.
 
Up Next for the Eagles:
USI finishes the homestand and the 2022 home schedule April 29-May 1 when it hosts Missouri University of Science & Technology for Alumni Weekend and Senior Day. The 2010 NCAA Division II national championship team will be recognized prior to the April 30 doubleheader. 
 
The Eagles have a 25-8 all-time series lead with Missouri S&T. The two teams have not met since 2019 when they split four games, while USI has won seven of the last nine since 2015.
 
The Miners are 17-19 overall and 5-11 in the GLVC after being swept by the University of Illinois Springfield at home this weekend. Missouri S&T travels to Pittsburg State University Wednesday before visiting USI next weekend.