University of Southern Indiana Baseball senior shortstop Kobe Stephens singled home a pair of runs in the bottom of the ninth to defeat University of Missouri-St. Louis, 7-6, Thursday evening at the USI Baseball Field. The Screaming Eagles go to 8-11 overall and 6-7 in the GLVC, after tonight’s action, while UMSL is 5-15 overall, 3-10 GLVC.
Trailing 6-4 in the bottom of the ninth, USI loaded the bases on a pair walks and a single. The Eagles cut the deficit to 6-5 when freshman pinch hitter Drew Taylor drove in senior rightfielder Manny Lopez with a RBI walk and set the stage for Stephens.
Stephens drove a 2-1 pitch to left field, scoring freshman pinch runner Trent Robinson with the tying run and sophomore centerfielder Austin Moody for the game-winner.
USI and UMSL went back and forth early, trading leads through the first three frames. The Triton had the initial lead with a tally at in the top of the first before the Eagles tied the game in the bottom half on a RBI-single by freshman first baseman Adam Wildeman.
The Eagles took the its only lead of the contest in the in the bottom of the second when junior leftfielder Bryce Krizan hit his first home runs of the season to right center. This would be the last lead the Eagles would have in the contest.
UMSL would regain the lead with a three run third, 4-2, and would hold the two-run advantage until the fifth when USI rallied to tie the game, 4-4. Stephens drove in his first run of the game with a double to right center to cut the lead to 4-3, while junior third baseman Michael Conner scored the fourth run on a throwing error after a wild pitch.
On the mound, freshman right-hander Carter Stamm picked up his second win in relief. Stamm (2-0) threw a scoreless ninth, allowing a hit and striking out two.
Up Next for the Eagles:
The Eagles and the Tritons return to action Friday with a 2 p.m. doubleheader at the USI Baseball Field. The four-game series concludes Saturday with noon single game. Live coverage can be accessed through GoUSIEagles.com.
