MARION, Ill. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball bowed out of the OVC Baseball Championship Friday, falling to second-seeded Southeast Missouri State University, 11-5, and third-seeded Morehead State University, 6-4, at Mtn Dew Park. Fourth-seeded USI concludes the 2024 campaign with a 27-32 overall mark, while SEMO is 33-24 and MSU goes to 36-23.
Winner’s Bracket Game:
In the winner’s bracket contest, the Redhawks jumped out in front early with a tally in the second and third innings. USI would bounce back to tie the score, 2-2, in the fourth with a two-run home run off the bat of senior designated hitter Jack Ellis (Jeffersonville, Indiana). The home run was Ellis’ eighth of the season.
After SEMO put up a four-spot in the bottom half of the fourth to regain the lead, 6-2, USI freshman right fielder Cameron Boyd (Villa Hills, Kentucky) got one of the runs back with a solo blast to left field to make the score, 6-3, in the fifth. The home run was Boyd’s third of the season.
The Eagles continue to close the gap to 6-4 in the fifth when sophomore shortstop Caleb Niehaus (Newburgh, Indiana) scored on a double down the left field line by senior first baseman Tucker Ebest (Austin, Texas). That would be as close as the Eagles would come the rest of the way as the Redhawks sealed the decision with a five-run bottom of the seventh to lead 11-4.
USI would close the gap one more time when junior left fielder Thomas Emerich (Ava, Missouri) blasted a home run over the left field wall for the eventual 11-5 final. The home run was Emerich’s second of the tournament and the season.
On the mound for the Eagles, junior right-hander Peyton Brown (Clemmons, North Carolina) started and took the loss. Brown (2-3) allowed six runs on seven hits and two walks, while striking out two in the 3.2 innings of work.
Elimination Game:
USI had the early advantage with a pair of runs in the second inning, but trailed 4-2 after three innings. The Screaming Eagles scored its two runs on ground out by junior catcher Logan Mock and a RBI single by junior second baseman Lane Crowden (Jackson, Missouri).
After the MSU Eagles grabbed the lead with a three-spot in the bottom of the second and extended its lead to 4-2 on a run in the third, the Screaming Eagles closed the gap and tied the score in the top of the fifth, 4-4. Senior right fielder Ren Tachioka (Japan), who had a team-high three hits in the game, kicked off the inning with a single, advanced to third on an error/failed pickoff, and scored on a ground out by junior third baseman Ricardo Van Grieken (Venezuela).
Junior designated hitter Jack Ellis pushed across the tying run for USI after being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.
After a scoreless sixth and seventh and a 35-minute weather delay, the MSU Eagles took the lead for good with a pair of runs in the bottom of the eighth for the 6-4 advantage. USI tried to rebound in the top of the ninth putting a pair of runners on to lead off the frame but could not get the runners past third.
On the mound, sophomore left-hander Trevor Geddes (Prospect, Kentucky) took the loss in relief. Geddes (0-2) was charged for two runs in a third of an inning after putting two on with walks before junior right-hander Carson Seeman (Auburn, California) gave up two hits to score the runners.
Freshman right-hander Clayton Weisheit (Ferdinand, Kentucky) started for USI, going 2.1 innings and allowing four runs on six hits and four walks. Senior right-hander Trent Robinson (Louisville, Kentucky) kept USI in the game during the middle innings, throwing 4.2 scoreless frames. Robinson allowed three hits and two walks while striking out four.
