EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Softball captured a 3-2 victory against Lindenwood University early Sunday afternoon at USI Softball Field. Wet weather and playing conditions forced the contest to be called in the fifth inning and canceled the series finale and the backend of Sunday’s doubleheader, which solidified the Screaming Eagles as the no. 4 seed for the Ohio Valley Conference Championship Tournament. The series finale was also canceled on Sunday.
Southern Indiana (16-23, 13-11 OVC) earned the fourth seed over Lindenwood (23-23, 14-12 OVC) by conference win percentage, giving USI a first-round bye and a spot in the double-elimination portion of the conference tournament. USI is the fourth seed for the second consecutive season.
Sunday’s game went scoreless for the first two innings before Lindenwood scored a run in the top of the third inning for the one-run advantage. USI answered in the home half of the third when freshman infielder Jordan Mackey tied the game, 1-1, on a two-out RBI single.
The Lions retook the lead, 2-1, in the top of the fourth, but the Eagles responded again in the bottom half of the frame. With the bases loaded, USI tallied two unearned runs after an error in Lindenwood’s outfield, giving USI a 3-2 lead.
From there, USI was able to keep the Lions off the scoreboard in the top of the fifth before the game was called and made official in the bottom of the fifth.
Southern Indiana totaled six hits. Freshman Grace Huffman registered a two-hit game for the Eagles.
In the pitching circle, freshman Kylie Witthaus took a no-decision after starting the game with three strikeouts and two runs allowed in 3.1 innings of work. Senior pitcher Josie Newman (10-15) got the win in relief, pitching 1.2 innings scoreless.
Lindenwood totaled seven hits, and junior pitcher Avery Wapp (8-8) was dealt the loss after giving up three runs – one earned – with five strikeouts in 4.1 innings.
As the fourth seed for the Ohio Valley Conference Softball Championship Tournament, USI will play on Wednesday at approximately 5:30 p.m. in Peoria, Illinois. The Screaming Eagles will play the winner of no. 8 University of Tennessee at Martin and fifth-seeded Lindenwood.
