Eagles overrun by Salukis, 16-9

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball had control early, but could not hold off Southern Illinois University, 16-9, Wednesday afternoon at the USI Baseball Field. USI watched its record go to 7-10, while SIU goes to 8-10.
 
The Screaming Eagles flew out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning and extended the margin to as many as 6-1 after the first three frames. SIU rallied to tie the score, 6-6, in the seventh, before the Eagles regain the lead, 9-6, with a three run seventh.
 
The Salukis maintained the momentum, closing the gap to one, 9-8, with a pair of unearned tallies in the eighth before exploding for eight in the ninth for the 16-9 victory.
 
Offensively at the plate, senior second baseman Lucas McNew (Floyds Knobs, Indiana), junior first baseman Tucker Ebest (Austin, Texas), junior designated hitter Jack Ellis (Jeffersonville, Indiana), and junior leftfielder Drew Taylor (Jeffersonville, Indiana) led the way with two RBIs each.
 
USI sophomore right-hander Riley Harris (Calvert City, Kentucky) took the loss for the Eagles, allowing three runs without getting an out in the ninth. Harris (0-1) was one of nine USI hurlers to throw in the game and one of three pitchers in the ninth.
 
Up Next for the Eagles:  
 
USI returns to the road this weekend when it travels to Murray State University for a three-game series in Murray, Kentucky. Game times are 3 p.m. Friday; 2 p.m. Saturday; and 1 p.m. Sunday.
 
Murray State leads the series with USI, 6-3-1, since the first meeting in 1981. The Racers also have won the last four meetings, including the latest matchup in 2003, 3-1, at Murray. USI’s last wins over Murray came 1994 when the Eagles swept the season series, 7-3 and 10-9.
 
The Racers are 7-10 overall in 2023 and have won three of the last four, including a 9-6 win over the University of North Alabama this week.