University of Southern Indiana junior first baseman Nathan Kuester (Rockport, Indiana) singled in sophomore shortstop Jacob Fleming (Evansville, Indiana) with the winning run in the ninth to defeat the University of Missouri-St. Louis, 6-5, Wednesday evening at the USI Baseball Field. USI, which has won four of the last five games, watched its record go to 7-9 overall, while UMSL goes to 6-9 in 2017.
With the score tied 5-5 in the bottom of the ninth, Fleming led off with a triple to right center. Following a walk to junior centerfielder Buddy Johnson (Shelbyville, Kentucky) and a one-out intentional walk to junior second baseman Joe Redburn (Newburgh, Indiana) to load the bases, Kuester sent a drive down the left field line to score Fleming with the game-winner.
The Screaming Eagles had the early lead, 4-0, after scoring four runs on two hits and three walks in the second inning. UMSL rallied with two runs the third and fourth frames before taking the lead, 5-4, with a tally in the fifth.
USI bounced back to tie the game, 5-5, in the seventh when Kuester doubled in freshman leftfielder Spenser Deom (Tell City, Indiana) to set the stage for the victory in the bottom of the ninth.
On the mound, senior right-hander Justin Watts (Bryan, Ohio) picked up his first win as an Eagle in relief. Watts (1-1), who followed five USI hurlers on a staff day for the Eagles, allowed a walk and struck out one in a scoreless top of the ninth.
USI hits the road to start the Great Lakes Valley Conference schedule this weekend when it visits Bellarmine University at Knights Field in Louisville, Kentucky. The scheduled dates and first pitch times for the four-game series is still to be determined due to the forecast of rain. For up to date information and coverage of USI Baseball, visit GoUSIEagles.com
