Eagles worn-out by Flyer’ sweep

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana lost a doubleheader to Lewis University Sunday afternoon at the USI Baseball Field. USI lost the opening game, 15-3, and the nightcap, 8-5, as Lewis completed a four-game sweep.
 
The Screaming Eagles go to 15-25 overall and 4-12 in the GLVC, while the Flyers are 15-20-1, 10-10 GLVC.   
 
Game One:
USI was stymied by Lewis in the opening game Sunday, but avoided the shutout in falling 15-3. The Eagles managed the three runs on two hits, while the Flyers posted five runs in the second, third, and fifth to secure the victory.
 
The Eagles lone highlight came in the sixth when senior shortstop Ethan Hunter (Terre Haute, Indiana) tripled in a pair of runs and scored on a sacrifice fly by junior catcher Lucas McNew (Floyds Knobs, Indiana).
 
Game Two:
USI lost a three-run lead in the nightcap in failing to salvage a victory in an 8-5 loss.  
 
The Eagles opened the scoring in the second inning with pair of tallies to take a 2-0. Senior shortstop Ethan Hunter and junior rightfielder Ren Tachioka (Japan) gave USI the lead with back-to-back RBI singles.
 
Lewis bounced back to tie the score, 2-2, with a two-run rally of its own in the bottom of the third. The score would remain tied until the top of the seventh when the Eagles regained the lead.
 
USI began its run to take back the lead when Tachioka crossed the plate on a wild pitch for a 3-2 lead. The Eagles extended their advantage to three runs, 5-2, on RBI bases-loaded walks by junior designated hitter Sam Boese (McKinney, Texas) and sophomore second baseman Alex Archuleta (Evansville, Indiana).
 
The Flyers, however, did not let the three-run lead stand and used a six-run explosion to take their first lead of the contest, 8-5. Lewis would make that final offensive outburst stand up in finishing off the sweep.
 
Up Next for the Eagles:
USI continues its nine-game homestand Tuesday when it hosts Kentucky Wesleyan College for a rematch of the last week’s game in Owensboro, Kentucky. The USI-KWC match-up also is Tri-State Hot Stove League Night at the USI Baseball Field.
 
The Eagles lead the all-time series with Kentucky Wesleyan College, 100-67, despite dropping the first meeting last week to the Panthers, 4-1, in Owensboro, Kentucky. USI has won 13 of the last 17 meetings with KWC.
 
Kentucky Wesleyan is 17-24 overall in 2022 and is coming off a four-game series with Tiffin University, losing three of four.
 
USI finishes the homestand and the 2022 home schedule April 29-May 1 when it hosts Missouri University of Science & Technology for Alumni Weekend and Senior Day. The 2010 NCAA Division II national championship team will be recognized prior to the April 30 doubleheader. 
 
The Eagles have a 25-8 all-time series lead with Missouri S&T. The two teams have not met since 2019 when they split four games, while USI has won seven of the last nine since 2015.
 
The Miners are 17-19 overall and 5-11 in the GLVC after being swept by the University of Illinois Springfield at home this weekend. Missouri S&T travels to Pittsburg State University Wednesday before visiting USI next weekend.