USI caps off Friday doubleheader split with big win
NASHVILLE – University of Southern Indiana Softball notched a big 9-2 win following a narrow 6-5 loss against Tennessee State University to earn a doubleheader split Friday afternoon in Nashville, Tennessee.
Tennessee State (12-8, 3-2 OVC) opened the scoring in game one with a four-run bottom of the first inning. Southern Indiana (5-15, 2-3 OVC) responded in the top of the second inning when freshman catcher Jordan Mackey belted her second home run of the season to cut the early deficit in half, 4-2.
After a sac fly from freshman designated player Grace Huffman made it a one-run ballgame, 4-3, in the top of the fourth, the Tigers answered with two more runs in the home half of the inning to go up by three, 6-3.
The scoreboard remained quiet until the top of the seventh inning when USI made a push. Three consecutive singles, including an RBI hit by senior pitcher Josie Newman, brought the Screaming Eagles within two, 6-4. In the next at-bat, senior third baseman Whitley Hunter kept the charge going with another RBI knock to bring USI within one, 6-5. However, after a Tennessee State pitching change, the Tigers recorded the final two outs to win the series opener.
USI tallied 12 total hits with seven players registering a hit in the game. Five Screaming Eagles recorded two-hit games. Mackey led with two RBIs. Newman (3-9) pitched a complete game, striking out a dozen in the loss.
Senior pitcher Reina Castillo (10-3) was credited with the win after 6.1 innings pitched, five runs allowed, and three strikeouts. Freshman pitcher Kristian Holder picked up the save, getting the last two outs of the contest.
In game two, Tennessee State scored once in the bottom of the first inning with a two-out RBI triple to take a 1-0 lead, which lasted until the third inning.
Southern Indiana posted a big third inning with five runs on the board. Junior outfielder Caroline Stapleton tied the game at one with an RBI single. With the bases loaded, Mackey delivered a two-run double to propel USI ahead, 3-1. In the next at-bat, senior outfielder Kennedy Nalley singled to score two more runs to give USI a 5-1 lead.
The Screaming Eagles were not done after the third frame, dropping another crooked number with four runs in the top of the fourth. Huffman recorded another sac fly on the day, Mackey added to her big afternoon with a two-RBI base hit, and Nalley followed with another RBI knock of her own. USI led 9-1 through four innings.
The Tigers scratched one more run across, but the Screaming Eagles sealed the 9-2 win with scoreless sixth and seventh innings.
USI posted 10 hits in the second game. Sophomore infielder Sydney Long, sophomore outfielder Kate Satkoski, and Nalley each had two hits. Mackey finished with three hits and four RBIs. Nalley had a three-RBI game. Freshman pitcher Kylie Witthaus (2-5) secured her second win of the season with a complete game. Witthaus struck out four batters.
For Tennessee State, Holder (1-2) got the start in game two, lasting only 2.2 innings with five runs allowed. The Tigers used four pitchers in the second contest.
The Screaming Eagles and Tigers look to decide the series Saturday in a rubber match. Saturday’s start time has been pushed up to 10 a.m. to avoid bad weather in the forecast. Further updates can be found at usiscreamingeagles.com and through the USI Athletics social media platforms.
