University of Southern Indiana Baseball rallied from a five-run deficit to defeat fourth-ranked Quincy University, 8-7, Sunday evening at the USI Baseball Field. USI moves its record to 22-14 overall and 15-9 in the GLVC, while Quincy goes to 27-9, 19-5 GLVC.
The Screaming Eagles spotted the Hawks a first inning run before taking the lead for the first time in the game when senior first baseman Nathan Kuester (Rockport, Indiana) swatted a two-run blast to left to give USI a 2-1 lead after a one frame. Quincy rallied with four in the second, one in the third and fourth to build a 7-2 advantage through four-and-a-half innings.
USI began its comeback with a pair of runs in a fifth-inning rally that was ignited by junior rightfielder Zach Pate (Evansville, Indiana) legging out a double down the right field line. Pate and senior second baseman Jacob Fleming (Evansville, Indiana), who had walked and stole second, scored to cut the deficit to 7-4 after five innings on a two-run single by freshman catcher Lucas McNew(Floyds Knobs, Indiana).
The Eagles completed their comeback in the sixth with a four-run explosion to take an 8-7 lead. USI, who scored four runs on two hits and took advantage of four walks in the inning, grabbed the lead for good when sophomore pinch hitter/centerfielder Bryce Krizan (Mt. Vernon, Indiana) crossed the plate on a wild pitch.
USI senior right-hander Dalton Lewis (Parker, Colorado) made the one run lead stand up in the final three frames to earn a save in relief of junior right-hander Jacob Bowles (Mt. Washington, Kentucky), who picked up his second win of the season in relief.
Bowles (2-1), who followed senior left-handed starter Chase Partain (Evansville, Indiana) and freshman right-hander Garrett Welch (New Castle, Indiana) to the mound, allowed two runs, one earned, on five hits and two walks in five innings of work. He also tied a career-high with seven strike outs.
Lewis blanked the Hawks for three frames on three hits and a walk, while striking out a USI career-high four batters to get the save.
