Eagles jump three spots in poll ahead of Top 25 clash with UIndy

EVANSVILLE, Ind.—University of Southern Indiana Softball moved up three spots to No. 17 in the latest National Fastpitch Coaches’ Association Division II Top 25 poll.
 
The Screaming Eagles (30-8, 16-0 GLVC), who have won a program-record tying 18 straight games, return to action Friday at 11 a.m. (CDT) when they visit No. 5 University of Indianapolis in a Great Lakes Valley Conference doubleheader.
 
UIndy (34-4, 14-2 GLVC), which has won 10 straight games, is currently second in the GLVC standings behind USI. The Greyhounds are the only other GLVC team in this week’s rankings, while No. 24 Grand Valley State University was the only other NCAA II Midwest Region Team in the rankings.
 
Following Friday’s games in Indianapolis, USI returns to the USI Softball Field to begin a six-game homestand Saturday at noon when it hosts McKendree University.
 
All four games this weekend will be aired on the GLVC Sports Network as well as 95.7 The Spin, while live stats, audio and video links can be accessed at GoUSIEagles.com.
 
USI Softball Notes
• Eagles back to 30-win plateau. USI Softball cracked the 30-win plateau for the first time since 2019 and the seventh time in the last 10 years. The Eagles were on pace to crack the 30-win plateau in 2020, winning 15 of their first 19 games before COVID-19 canceled the remainder of their season. The Eagles have reached the 30-win plateau 12 times under Head Coach Sue Kunkle and 19 times in program history.
 
• USI off to best GLVC start in program history. The Eagles 16-0 start to GLVC play is the best open to league play in program history. Dating back to 2021, the Eagles have won 17 straight GLVC games, which is the longest such streak in program history.
 
• Walk-off wins. The Eagles have had nine walk-off victories in the last at-bat this season, including five that have been in the seventh-inning or later and three that have been in extra innings. Four of the walk-off wins have given the Eagles victory via the eight-run rule.
 
• Win streak. USI’s 18-game winning streak matches the program record, which was set during the 2005 season. USI followed an 0-8 start to the 2005 season with 18 straight wins.
 
• Eagles in extra innings. USI is 5-1 in extra-inning games this season, including 3-0 in GLVC play.
 
 • Newman named Pitcher of the Week. Freshman pitcher Josie Newman (Indianapolis, Indiana) was named the GLVC Pitcher of the Week for her efforts in USI’s wins over Drury University and Southwest Baptist University last weekend. She allowed just one hit in two appearances and 12.0 innings of work as she went 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA and .026 opponent batting average.
 
• Newman putting together impressive run. Newman has racked up three consecutive complete-game shutouts and has allowed just three hits during that span. She has not given up a run in the last 19 1/3 innings of work.
 
• Hitting Streaks. Sophomore outfielder Mackenzie Bedrick (Brownsburg, Indiana) has hit safely in eight straight games after having a team-high tying 11-game hitting streak earlier in the year. Junior pitcher/designated player Allie Goodin (Evansville, Indiana) has hit safely in six straight games.
 
• Bean drives in seven. Senior third baseman Mary Bean (Schaumburg, Illinois) drove in seven runs in USI’s doubleheader sweep of Southwest Baptist Sunday, including a career-high six RBI in USI’s game-two victory. Bean is the second Eagle this season to drive in six runs in a single game as junior shortstop Jordan Rager (Fishers, Indiana) had six RBI, all in one inning, in USI’s 16-2 win over Truman State University last month.