USI falls short in homestand opener, 2-1
Game 2 of the series has been moved up to 11 a.m. Saturday
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball opened its homestand with a disappointing 2-1 loss to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Friday evening at the USI Baseball Field. USI is 10-15 overall and 2-2 in the OVC after the first game of the series, while Little Rock goes to 10-16, 1-3 in the OVC.
USI allowed two runs in the top of the fourth on a bases-loaded hit by pitch and walk in a very tight pitcher’s duel and spelled the difference in the contest. The score would remain 2-0 until the ninth inning when USI put up a final challenge of Little Rock.
The Screaming Eagles opened the final frame with a single by junior designated hitter Cole Kitchens, who extended his team-best hitting streak to 14 games. Junior pinch runner Hunter Miller entered for Kitchens and advanced to second on a one-out walk to junior first baseman Kannon Coakley, who saw his hitting streak come to an end at 12 games.
After junior shortstop Clayton Slack flew out for the second out, USI got on the scoreboard with an RBI single by sophomore third baseman Parker Martin, scoring Miller with the Eagles’ lone tally. Little Rock would close out the contest with a strikeout of sophomore second baseman Anthony Umbach, stranding the tying and winning runs on base. For the game, USI stranded seven runners on the base paths.
On the mound, junior right Andres Gonzalez started and took the loss for the Eagles. Gonzalez (0-4) pitched the first four innings, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks, while striking out four.
USI sophomore right-hand Abdriel Figueroa relieved effectively and kept the game close by matching a career-high 3.0 innings of work. Figueroa also struck out a career-best five Trojans in the outing.
Up Next for the Eagles:
The Eagles and the Trojans continue the series Saturday at a new start time of 11 a.m. and conclude Sunday at 1 p.m.
Saturday’s game is Jersey Day at the USI Baseball Field. Fans wearing a jersey to the game will receive a free popcorn and will have a chance to win St. Louis Cardinals tickets in a sixth-inning drawing.
Due to the ever-changing weather in March, USI encourages fans to watch for potential schedule changes on USIScreamingEagles.com, X,
