EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball lost the rubber game and the series to Eastern Illinois University, 9-8, Sunday afternoon at the USI Baseball Field. USI is 20-23 overall and 9-8 in the OVC, while EIU is 22-18, 10-6 OVC.
The Screaming Eagles flew out in front, 3-0, during the first inning when sophomore rightfielder Cameron Boyd hit a three-run blast to right center. The home run was Boyd’s fifth of the season and his third of the week.
Boyd had an outstanding week for the Eagles. The sophomore batted .583 (14-24) with eight runs scored, three home runs, and 12 RBIs in five games.
USI would hold the 3-0 lead into the second when EIU put its first tally on the board and cut the margin to 3-1. The Panthers would rally with two more in the third to knot the game at 3-3.
The score remained 3-3 until the top of the fifth, when the Panthers scored three times to lead 6-3. EIU extended the margin to 9-3 with three more in the top of the sixth.
USI would bounce back with a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth to cut the deficit to 9-5. USI junior shortstop Clayton Slack plated a pair of runs with an RBI single through the left side of the infield.
Following a scoreless seventh, USI sophomore pinch hitter/rightfielder Evan Zapp cut the deficit to two, 9-7, in the eighth with a two-run, two-out double to left field. Sophomore third baseman Parker Martinwould leave the tying runs at second and third to end the eighth.
USI would try to rally in its final try at the plate in the ninth. Junior designated hitter Charlie Mariscadrove in USI’s eighth run of the game with a single, but the Eagles would stand the tying and winning runs on base in falling, 9-8.
On the mound, sophomore right-hander Abdriel Figueroa took the loss in relief. Figerora (0-1) allowed three runs on three hits and two walks, while striking out two in three frames of work.
Junior right-hander Andres Gonzalez started and lasted the first two-plus innings. He allowed three runs on three hits and a pair of walks.
