ST. CHARLES, Mo. – University of Southern Indiana Softball claimed its second consecutive Ohio Valley Conference series on Sunday, regrouping from an 8-0 loss to start the day to win a 2-1 rubber match for a series win against Lindenwood University.
The day began with a slow start for the Screaming Eagles (12-12, 6-3 OVC) in the first game. Lindenwood (14-16, 3-6 OVC) struck for an unearned run in each of the first two innings. The Lions added two more runs in the third off a couple of miscues by USI. Then after a solo home run in the fourth, Lindenwood finished game 1 with a crooked number in the fifth on two RBI singles.
USI had a pair of doubles in the first game by junior infielder Hailey Gotshall (Lucerne, Indiana) and senior catcher Sammie Kihega (Greenwood, Indiana), while Lindenwood scored eight runs on eight hits.
In the pitching circle, USI junior pitcher Whitley Hunter (Nashville, Illinois) was charged with the loss, moving to 2-4 this season, after allowing four runs – one unearned – in three innings of work. Lindenwood’s graduate pitcher Amanda Weyh moved to 9-7 on the campaign with five shutout innings.
In game 2, the Lions scored in the first inning on a sac fly to grab an early 1-0 lead. Southern Indiana answered in the top of the third inning. With two outs and runners on the corners, Gotshall put one down the left-field line to bring in the tying run.
As the pitcher’s duel went on over the next two frames, the Screaming Eagles jumped in front in the sixth inning. Once again, Gotshall shot a pitch into the gap, going for three bases to lead off the inning. Next up, senior first baseman Lexi Fair (Greenfield, Indiana) punched one to left field to score Gotshall for the lead.
Ahead with the 2-1 advantage, junior pitcher Josie Newman (Indianapolis, Indiana) continued her strong outing by pitching around a baserunner in the bottom of the sixth and seventh innings to bring home the series win for USI.
Newman picked up her 10th win of the season with the complete game. The right-hander allowed only four hits and struck out 10 hitters.
Lindenwood sophomore starting pitcher Avery Wapp dropped to 4-6 in 2024, giving up two runs in six innings pitched.
The Screaming Eagles return home later this week to USI Softball Field, taking on Southeast Missouri State University in a three-game series Friday and Saturday. The series opens with a doubleheader Friday at 1 p.m., followed by a Noon start in Saturday’s series finale. All three games can be heard on 95.7 The Spin. Live stats and coverage links can be found on the USI Softball schedule page on usiscreamingeagles.com.
