Eagles lose game one at Delta State

CLEVELAND, Miss. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball could not stop Delta State University in losing, 17-6, Friday evening in Cleveland, Mississippi. The Screaming Eagles are 10-9 this spring, while Delta State is 15-7 in 2022.   
 
The Eagles, who spotted the Statesmen a 1-0 lead in the first, exploded for four runs in the top of the second. Sophomore third baseman Tyler Wheeler (Sellersburg, Indiana) drove in the first runs for the Eagles with a single to right field to give USI a 2-1 lead.
 
USI junior rightfielder Ren Tachioka (Japan) gave the Eagles a 4-1 lead with a RBI-double and later would steal for the three run advantage.
 
Delta State rallied back with four runs of its own in the bottom of the second for a 5-4 lead and extended the margin to seven with a six-run third, 11-4. The Statesmen continue to build the lead six more runs between the fifth and seventh and led by as many as 11, 15-4.
 
USI added two more runs to its total in the seventh. Sophomore centerfielder Steven Molinet (Elberfeld, Indiana) knocked in a run with a fielder’s choice, while freshman catcher Cordell Coburn (Evansville, Indiana) pushed a run across with bases-loaded walk before Delta State closed out the 17-6 final.
 
Up Next for the Eagles:
 
USI continue to the three-game series Saturday with a 2 p.m. single game at Harvey Stadium at Ferriss Field. The series concludes Sunday at noon.
 
Schedule Change:
 
The first pitch for the USI-Maryville University game schedule for March 29 in St. Louis has been changed to 3 p.m. The game was originally slated for a 6 p.m. start.