LOUISVILLE, Ky. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball held off Bellarmine University, 9-7, to open a three-game series Sunday in Louisville, Kentucky. USI is 5-8 in the non-conference season, while Bellarmine goes 1-12.
USI opened the scoring in its first at bat when senior rightfielder Ren Tachioka (Japan) scored on a RBI ground out by senior designated hitter Tucker Ebest (Austin, Texas) for the 1-0 a lead. The 1-0 lead lasted until the bottom of the frame when the Knights picked up the tying for 1-1 score after one.
The game would remain tied, 1-1, until the top of the fourth when the Screaming Eagles plated a trio of runs. The Eagles manufactured the three runs on a fielder’s choice, a sac bunt, and a RBI-single after loading the bases on a single and a pair of walks.
USI increased its lead to six runs, 7-1, with three more tallies in the top of the fifth. Junior first baseman Thomas Emerich (Ava, Missouri) highlighted the three-run fifth with two-run single, while graduate second baseman Nolan Cook (Evansville, Indiana) had a RBI-single to cap off the inning.
Following a three-run frame of its own, Bellarmine narrowed the gap to 7-4 in the bottom of the fifth.
The Eagles pushed the margin back to five, 9-4, when Ebest hit a two-run home run to right field. The home run was Ebest’s team-best third of the season and his second in as many games.
The Knights would make another run at the Eagles in the final two innings. Bellarmine pulled to within three, 9-6, with two in the eighth before scoring once in the ninth. USI shut the door on the Knights with the tying run at the plate.
On the mound, USI freshman right-hander Grant Parson (Owensboro, Kentucky) posted his second win of the year. Parson (2-0) allowed three runs on four hits and two walks, while striking out five.
Junior right-hander Tyler Hutson (Villa Hills, Kentucky) earned his second save of the year after getting USI through the ninth. Hutson gave up the one run on two hits, while striking out two.
