EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana freshman infielder Caleb Niehaus (Newburgh, Indiana) was named Ohio Valley Conference co-Player of the Week for his efforts versus Western Illinois University to open the 2023 season. Niehaus shared the OVC weekly award with Morehead State University senior outfielder Chase Vinson. Niehaus played in all four games last weekend, including a pair of starts at second base. The freshman’s first collegiate hit was a home run to left field during his first collegiate start in USI’s 6-0 win on Saturday. Niehaus finished the weekend series by going three-for-four with two runs scored, a home run, a triple, and four RBIs in the Screaming Eagles’ 5-4 victory Sunday. He gave USI the lead and drove in the eventual game-winning run with a three-run triple in the eighth inning series clinching win.   Overall for last week’s series, Niehaus batted .500 (4-8) with four runs scored, one triple, two home runs, and a team-best five RBIs. The Eagles continue action Tuesday on the road when they visit Lipscomb University for a 3 p.m. contest in Nashville, Tennessee. Lipscomb (2-1) opened 2023 last weekend by taking two-of-three from the University of Notre Dame. The Bisons lead the all-time series with the Eagles, 11-1, dating back to 1973. The last meeting between the two teams was in 1980 when they split a doubleheader with Lipscomb taking game one, 9-3, and USI taking the nightcap, 7-5. Following the USI-Lipscomb match-up on Tuesday, the Eagles open the 2023 home schedule Friday when they start a three-game series versus former GLVC-rival Bellarmine University at the USI Baseball Field. The series starts Friday with a 3 p.m. first pitch; continues Saturday with a 1 p.m. start; and concludes Sunday with a noon match-up.
