The University of Southern Indiana baseball team rallied twice to defeat Missouri University of Science & Technology, 7-5, on the first day of the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Thursday morning in Quincy, Illinois. USI sees its record go to 34-19 overall, while Missouri S&T watches its mark go to 35-18.
The Screaming Eagles began the scoring in the opening frame when sophomore second baseman Sam Griggs(Evanville, Indiana) singled in senior centerfielderHamilton Carr (Evansville, Indiana) to put USI on top, 1-0. The lead would last until the top of the second when the Miners scored a pair of tallies to lead, 2-1.
After Missouri S&T increased the lead to 3-1, USI rallied for the first time to take the lead 4-3 with a three-run fifth inning. Griggs singled in his second RBI of the game before senior catcher Ryan Bertram(Zionsville, Indiana) blasted a two-run home run to put the Eagles out in front.
The Miners erased the Eagles lead with a pair of tallies in the top of the sixth and jumped back in front, 5-4.USI, however, was not to be denied in the NCAA II Midwest Regional opening game by regaining the lead for good with two in the bottom half of the sixth to make the score 6-5.
Senior shortstop Kyle Niemeier (Evansville, Indiana) drove in the eventual game winning run and sixth with an RBI-single through the right side of the infield. Carr had tied the game one batter earlier with a ground out.
The Eagles picked up an insurance run in the eighth inning when freshman pinch runner Jacob Fleming (Evansville, Indiana) scored on a throwing for the final score of 7-5.
Griggs and Bertram led the way for USI with two RBIs each, while sophomore designated hitter designated hitter Joe Reburn (Newburgh, Indiana) tied a career-high with a team-best three hits.
On the mound, junior right-hander Lucas Barnett (Sellersburg, Indiana) picked up his team-best seventh win of the year in six tough innings of work. Barnett (7-5) allowed five runs on nine hits and two walks, while striking out four.
Senior right-handed closer T.J. Decker (Brazil, Indiana) closed out the game for the Eagles by pitching the final three frames for his team-high seventh save of the year. Decker allowed one hit and two walks, while striking out one.
The fourth-seeded Eagles advance in the winners bracket Friday at 5 p.m. and will play top-seeded and host Quincy University. The Hawks rose to 38-16 after defeating eighth-seeded Alderson Broaddus University, 20-0.
