USI holds on to defeat Alabama State, 15-13
Screaming Eagles win the series, 3-1
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball had to hold on to defeat Alabama State University, 15-13, Sunday in Montgomery, Alabama. USI is 3-1 after two days of 2025, while Alabama State is 1-3 to begin its season.
USI senior centerfielder Khi Holiday gave the Screaming Eagles the first inning lead for the third time in the series, crossing the plate on an error with two outs in the opening frame. Holiday got into scoring position by singling, stealing second, and advancing to third on a bunt single by senior leftfielder BJ Banyon.
After USI added to the lead with a pair of runs in the top of the second and Alabama State posted a tally in the bottom half, sophomore rightfielder Cameron Boyd put the Eagles up 5-1 with a two-run blast to right field. The home run was USI and Boyd’s first of the season.
The Eagles extended the lead for the fourth-straight frame, exploding for six runs in the fourth for an 11-1 advantage. USI sent 11 men to the plate, scoring six times on a bases-loaded hit by pitch, a single, and three bases-loaded walks.
The Hornets would not be outdone as they rallied with five runs in the bottom of the fourth and two more in the fifth to cut the USI advantage to 11-8.
USI would rebound with four in the top of the sixth to re-extend the lead to 15-8. A RBI-single by junior designated hitter Cole Kitchens and junior shortstop Clayton Slack highlighted the rally.
Alabama State, however, would mount a comeback, scoring five in the bottom of the eighth before sophomore right-hander Aaron Rubio closed the door on the Hornets. Rubio got the final out of the eighth and stranded the bases loaded in the ninth.
On the mound, freshman right-hander Sage Stout picked up his first collegiate win in relief. Stout (1-0) blanked the Hornets for an inning, striking out one batter.
USI senior right-hander Hiroyuki Yamada started and received a no-decision. Yamada was charged with six runs on three hits, two walks, and a hit batter in 3.1 innings of work.
Up Next for the Eagles:
The Eagles open the 2025 home schedule by hosting Western Kentucky University on Tuesday. The first pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. and the first 200 fans get a USI red rally towel.
WKU is 2-0 after starting the year with a pair of wins over Illinois State University at home this weekend. USI trails 10-2 in the all-time series with WKU after falling to the Hilltoppers, 5-3 and 2-1, last spring.
Due to the prediction of inclement and cold weather, USI encourages fans to watch for potential schedule changes on USIScreamingEagles.com, X, and Facebook.
