University of Southern Indiana sophomore leftfielder Drake McNamara (Mt. Vernon, Indiana) singled in the game-winning run in ninth-inning to defeat Angelo State University, 1-0, on the third day of the NCAA Division II Baseball Championship Monday afternoon in Cary, North Carolina. USI, the NCAA II Midwest Regional representative, sees its record go to 38-20 overall, while Angelo State sees its season end with a 39-22 mark.
In the ninth inning, senior rightfielder Kyle Kempf (Evansville, Indiana) walked to lead off the frame and advanced to third when sophomore second baseman Sam Griggs (Evansville, Indiana) reached on an Angelo State fielding error. Senior catcher Ryan Bertram (Zionsville, Indiana) was walked intentionally to load the bases before McNamara singled up the middle to drive in Kempf with the game-winner and the game’s only tally.
The 1-0 victory capped off a dominating pitching performance by junior right-hander Lucas Barnett(Sellersburg, Indiana). Barnett (8-5) became the Screaming Eagles’ first eight-game winner of 2016 by throwing his team-best third shutout and sixth complete.
Barnett was dominating over the nine innings, scattering five hits and one walk versus 33 Angelo State hitters. The junior right-hander, who struck out two batters and threw 96 pitches in the win, allowed only three Rams to reach third base in the contest and stranded six base-runners.
The Eagles advance to play the loser of the Lander University-Nova Southeastern University Wednesday at 6 p.m. (CDT) in USI’s second straight elimination game. Lander (43-14) and Nova Southeastern (40-16) are scheduled to play in Tuesday’s second game at 6 p.m. (CDT).
