EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball allowed a pair of big innings and lost to Oakland University, 7-5, Saturday afternoon at the USI Baseball Field. The Screaming Eagles watched their record go to 5-9, while Oakland goes to 5-8.
 
The Eagles flew out to a 3-0 lead after three innings with a tally in each of the frames. USI senior centerfielder Evans Kahre (Evansville, Indiana) led off the first with a triple and scored on a ground out by senior catcher Lucas McNew (Floyds Knobs, Indiana) to make the score, 1-0.
 
USI upped the lead to 2-0 when freshman infielder Caleb Niehaus (Newburgh, Indiana) scored on a wild pitch in the second, while senior rightfielder Ren Tachioka (Japan) tripled and scored in the third for the 3-0 lead when McNew reached on an error.
 
The Grizzlies exploded for four runs in the fourth to take a 4-3 lead, aided by three Eagle errors. USI responded to regain the lead in the fifth, 5-4, with a pair of runs on a RBI-double by junior first baseman Tucker Ebest (Austin, Texas) and a RBI-single by Niehaus.
 
USI held the slim lead until the seventh when Oakland posted three runs to take the lead for good in the 7-5 final. Oakland scored the three runs on four hits, two walks, and a hit batter.
 
The Eagles tried to rally in the final three frames, but hit into three double plays that squashed any comeback rallies.
 
On the mound for USI, sophomore right-hander Adam Weihe (Louisville, Kentucky) took the loss in relief. Weihe (0-3) allowed the three runs in the seventh on four hits.
 
USI sophomore right-hander Gavin Seebold (Jeffersonville, Indiana) started and got the no-decision. Seebold allowed four runs, one earned, on four hits and three walks, while striking out two in three innings.
 
Up Next for the Eagles:
USI and Oakland conclude the three-game series Sunday with a noon first pitch.
 
Following the Sunday’s three-game series conclusion, the Eagles hit the road Tuesday to visit Saint Louis University for a 3 p.m. contest (NEW START TIME). The Billikens are 10-3 in 2023 and have won 10-straight after losing three in a row to start the year.
 
USI returns to the USI Baseball Field after the single game at SLU to host Southern Illinois University Wednesday. Game time is slated for 3 p.m. The Salukis, currently, are 6-9 and complete a three-game set with the University of Kentucky Sunday at home.

Promotion Alert:
The first 100 students at the USI Baseball Field for the USI-Southern Illinois University game on March 15 will receive a free AZZIP pizza coupon. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m.

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball lost the series opener with Oakland University, 4-2, Friday evening at the USI Baseball Field. The Screaming Eagles watch their record go to 5-8, while Oakland goes to 4-8.

After spotting the Golden Grizzles a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, USI grabbed a 2-1 lead on a pair of solo home runs by senior centerfielder Evan Kahre (Evansville, Indiana) and junior first baseman Tucker Ebest (Austin, Texas). Kahre led off the Eagles’ first inning with his first home run of the season, while Ebest led off the fourth inning with his team-best fourth of the year.

The score would remain in USI’s favor until the top of the seventh when the Grizzlies scored three times to re-take the lead, 4-2. The Eagles missed a chance to chip away at the deficit in the eighth, leaving the bags jammed, and in the ninth, leaving a runner on base.

USI sophomore right-hander Tyler Hutson (Villa Hills, Kentucky) took the hard luck loss for the Eagles after departing the game with the score tied, 2-2, and the eventual winning run on second. Hutson (1-2) allowed three runs on four hits and four walks in the start, while striking out a career-best seven in 6.1 innings of work.

Up Next for the Eagles:
USI and Oakland continue the three-game series Saturday with a 2 p.m. first pitch before concluding the set with a noon game Sunday.