The University of Southern Indiana baseball salvage a doubleheader split with Trevecca Nazarene University Saturday afternoon in Nashville, Tennessee. USI, which goes to 3-5 to start the year, lost the opener, 6-3, but bounced back to take the series finale, 9-3. Trevecca finishes the day, 4-9.
Game 1:
The Screaming Eagles posted a 2-0 lead in the opening frame, but saw Trevecca outscore USI 6-1 over the next six-and-a-half innings and lost the opener, 6-3. USI was led in the opener by junior designated hitter Nathan Kuester (Rockport, Indiana), who was two-for-four with two runs scored, two RBIs, and first inning two-run home run.
On the hill, sophomore right-hander Kyle Griffin (Morganfield, Kentucky) took the loss for the Eagles. Griffin (0-3) allowed five runs on seven hits and three walks, while striking out six over 3.2 innings of work.
Sophomore right-hander Austin Krizan  (Mt. Vernon, Indiana) followed Griffin to the mound, going 3.1 innings and allowing a run on five hits. Junior right-hander Mitchell Powers (Newburgh, Indiana) finished the game on the mound for the Eagles with a scoreless eighth.
Game 2:Â
USI junior rightfielder Grant Malott (New Castle, Indiana) and Kuester hit home runs as the Eagles broke a two-game skid by posting a 9-3 win to salvage a victory in the nigntcap and the series with Trevecca. The Eagles scored seven times in the first three innings and added insurance runs in the sixth and seventh to close out the 9-3 victory.
Malott went two-for-three with two runs scored, two RBIs, and a home run in the victory, while Kuester was two-for-four with two runs scored and his second home run of the doubleheader. Junior third baseman Sam Griggs (Evansville, Indiana) also had three hits in four at-bats, scoring twice in the win.
On the mound, senior right-hander Mike Ringer (Springfield, Illinois) picked up the win in relief. Ringer (1-0) went 2.1 innings, allowing a walk and striking out three.
USI senior right-hander Lucas Barnett (Silver Creek, Indiana) started the game for the Eagles, giving up two runs on two runs on four hits and three walks. Barnett also struck out three in his 3.2 innings of work.
After USI returns to Evansville on Saturday, the Eagles return to the road Tuesday and Wednesday when they play in the Perfect Game Spring Swing in Marietta, Georgia. The USI opponent on Tuesday is still to be determined, while it will play Young Harris College Wednesday at 3 p.m. (CST).
The Eagles come back to the friendly surroundings of the USI Baseball Field March 10-12 for a three-game non-conference series with Drury University. Game times for single games each day are 5 p.m. Friday; 2 p.m. Saturday; and noon Sunday.
