EVANSVILLE, Ind.—University of Southern Indiana Softball returns to action this weekend when it hosts the Midwest Region Crossover at Deaconess Sports Park.
The Midwest Region Crossover features 13 teams from the Great Lakes Valley Conference, the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Conference and the Great Midwest Athletic Conference; and will be played on five fields Friday at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., Saturday at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., and Sunday at 10 a.m. and noon.
In addition to USI, the Midwest Region Crossover includes GLVC members Bellarmine University, Drury University, the University of Indianapolis, McKendree University and Truman State University; GLIAC members Ferris State University, Hillsdale College, Northwood University, Ohio Dominican University and Saginaw Valley State University; and GMAC members Kentucky Wesleyan College and Trevecca Nazarene University.
USI begins the weekend Friday at 1 p.m. when it takes on Trevecca Nazarene, program that has advanced to the previous two NCAA II Midwest Region Tournaments. The Eagles also play Ferris State Friday at 3 p.m.; Northwood and Ohio Dominican Saturday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., respectively; and Hillsdale and Saginaw Valley State Sunday at 10 a.m. and noon, respectively.
Tickets for adults $7 per day and $20 for a weekend pass, while children 12-and-under are free. Live stats for all of USI’s games can be accessed at GoUSIEagles.com.
The Eagles (2-0), who are receiving votes in the latest NFCA Top 25 Coaches’ Poll, are looking to build on their doubleheader sweep of then No. 1 and defending national champion North Alabama. Freshman pitcher Jennifer Leonhardt (Louisville, Kentucky) was named the GLVC Pitcher of the Week after posting a complete-game, three-hit shutout in the opener.
USI Softball Notes
- Great start.USI Softball opened the year by sweeping then No. 1 and defending national champion North Alabama, 3-0 and 6-1. Freshman pitcher Jennifer Leonhardthad a complete-game shutout in the opener, while sophomore hurler Courtney Atkisson earned the complete-game win in the second game. Junior third baseman Mena Fulton led the Eagles at the plate, going 3-of-6 with a home run and three RBIs in the two games.
- Leonhardt earns GLVC honor.Freshman pitcher Jennifer Leonhardtwas named the GLVC Pitcher of the Week following her complete-game, three-hit shutout against North Alabama. Leonhardt struck out six batters and issued just one walk to earn the win in her collegiate debut.
- Fossett picks up where she left off.Junior first baseman Marleah Fossettadded to the four-game hitting streak she ended 2016 with by getting a hit in both of USI’s wins over North Alabama. Fossett, who hit .336 with six home runs and 37 RBIs as a sophomore last year, is currently hitting .429 with a pair of RBIs.
- Eagles receiving votes in NFCA Top 25.USI Softball is receiving votes in the latest NFCA Top 25 Coaches’ Poll. The Eagles are essentially 26th with 23 votes. In addition to USI, the GLVC is represented by No. 18 Indianapolis and No. 25 Missouri-St. Louis.
- Record book watch.Several USI players are in the USI career record books:
–Haley Hodges is second in home runs (33), third in grand slams (2), fifth in RBIs (124), sixth in putouts (672) and tied for eighth in walks (60);
–Grace Clark is tied for fourth in grand slams (1), 10th in home runs (16) and 13th in RBIs (81);
–Lexi Reese is 14th in home runs (12);
Marleah Fossett is tied for 22nd in home runs (6).
