Mackey’s two-home run game leads USI to series finale win and doubleheader split

MOREHEAD, Ky. – University of Southern Indiana Softball split its road doubleheader against Morehead State University on Saturday, capturing a big 14-4 win in the series finale after a 5-1 setback to start the day that gave Morehead State the Ohio Valley Conference series win.

In game one, Southern Indiana quickly got on the scoreboard after a bunt single from junior outfielder Caroline Stapleton and a throwing error by Morehead State that allowed Stapleton to come all the way around to lead off the game and give USI a 1-0 lead.

Just like Friday’s game, Morehead State recorded another crooked number on the scoreboard in the third inning. Morehead State struck for five runs, including three on a bases-clearing double, to surge ahead 5-1 through the bottom of the third.

The Screaming Eagles got runners to second and third in the fifth and sixth innings, but Morehead State kept those runners on base and went on to close out the game.

Stapleton finished with two hits to lead USI, which totaled six hits in the game. Freshman pitcher Kylie Witthaus (2-6) took the loss after a complete game with three strikeouts and allowing five runs – only two earned.

Morehead State tallied five hits. Junior pitcher Rylie Burney (2-12), who recorded Friday’s win in the series opener, went the distance and surrendered only one run.

In the series finale and second game of the day, Southern Indiana wasted no time getting on the scoreboard again. Following a leadoff hit by Stapleton, freshman third baseman Jordan Mackey crushed a pitch to straightaway center for a two-run home run to give USI a 2-0 advantage.

Mackey was not done there, as the Evansville, Indiana native belted another two-run shot in the top of the third inning for her first career multi-home run game and the second such game by a USI player this season. Ahead 4-0, the Screaming Eagles were the ones who got their big third inning by totaling six runs in the frame to carry an 8-0 lead to the fourth.

USI put up another six-spot in the fourth inning to skyrocket ahead 14-0. The fourth inning was highlighted by a two-run double from senior pitcher Josie Newman and a pinch-hit two-RBI single by junior Julianna Hibbs.

Morehead State scored four unanswered in the last two home innings, but Southern Indiana sealed the game in five innings to secure a win in the series finale and avoid the series sweep.

USI registered 10 total hits with multi-hit games from Mackey and Newman. Mackey paced the Screaming Eagles with four RBIs off the two home runs. Mackey’s performance propelled the freshman into the team lead with four home runs and 15 RBIs on the season. Newman accounted for three RBIs in the game. Newman (4-10) also got the winning decision after pitching the five-inning complete with a pair of strikeouts.

Morehead State posted four runs on seven hits. Burney (2-13) suffered the loss after bookending the game for Morehead State. Burney hurled two total innings with two runs allowed. Morehead State used four pitchers in the contest.

The Screaming Eagles will return home next weekend for the start of a six-game homestand. USI will host Tennessee Tech University next weekend. The series opener next Saturday is at 3 p.m. Sunday’s doubleheader to conclude the series begins at Noon. Coverage information can be found online at usiscreamingeagles.com.