CHARLESTON, Ill. – University of Southern Indiana Softball tried to climb back from a five-run deficit in the series opener at Eastern Illinois University on Saturday, but the Screaming Eagles came up short to the Panthers by a final score of 5-2.
Eastern Illinois (20-17, 12-3 OVC), who entered the weekend in first place in the Ohio Valley Conference standings, opened the scoring with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first inning.
Southern Indiana (10-19, 7-7 OVC) got a quality chance to score with two runners in scoring position in the top of the third inning but could not convert on the opportunity. The Panthers went on to increase their lead to 5-0 on a pair of home runs in the bottom of the third.
After a couple of more hits in the fourth for USI did not pan out into runs, the Screaming Eagles cashed in with two runs in the top of the fifth to chip away at the five-run deficit. USI organized some two-out momentum, loading the bases. Freshman third baseman Jordan Mackey singled up the middle to bring two runs home and pull Southern Indiana within three. USI would load the bases again later in the frame, but Eastern Illinois was able to get out of the jam.
Following the five runs through three innings, senior pitcher Josie Newman settled in for Southern Indiana and posted zeroes the rest of the way. However, the Screaming Eagles were unable to close in any further on the Panthers.
Southern Indiana totaled six hits with senior infielder Whitley Hunter and Mackey tallying two hits each. Mackey collected two RBIs on the fifth-inning hit. Newman (6-12) went all six innings pitched with nine strikeouts and allowed five runs off four hits.
Eastern Illinois’ sophomore pitcher McKenzie Oslanzi (11-10) recorded the win after 4.2 innings of work with two runs surrendered and five strikeouts. Junior pitcher Karlie McKenzie was credited with her fourth save of the season after pitching the final 2.1 innings.
Southern Indiana and Eastern Illinois will clash again on Sunday in a doubleheader to wrap up the weekend series. Sunday’s action starts at Noon, which can be seen with a subscription to ESPN+ and heard on The Spin 95.7 FM. Additional coverage can be found at usiscreamingeagles.com.
