USI uses big innings to win Division I debut 11-5

MILLINGTON, Tenn. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball opened its NCAA Division I 2023 campaign and a four-game series with an 11-5 victory Western Illinois University Friday afternoon at USA Stadium in Millington, Tennessee. The Screaming Eagles start the year 1-0, while Western Illinois begins 0-1.   
 
After spotting the Leathernecks a tally in the first inning, the Eagles exploded for three runs in the third when junior third baseman Lane Crowden (Jackson, Missouri) tripled with the bases loaded to give USI a 3-1 lead after three frames.
 
Western Illinois responded by loading the bases in the top of the fourth with one out, but USI was able to escape without any damage when junior second baseman Alex Archuleta (Evansville, Indiana), sophomore shortstop Ricardo Van Grieken (Venezuela), and junior first baseman Tucker Ebest (Austin, Texas) combined for a 4-6-3 double play.
 
USI’s 3-1 lead would last until the fifth when Western Illinois hit back-to-back home runs to tie the game 3-3. The Eagles got the lead back, 4-3, with a home run of their own when Ebest slammed a shot over the right field wall.
 
The Leathernecks would regain the lead, 5-4, in the top of the sixth with a pair of tallies with two outs. WIU would hold that lead briefly as USI replied with a four-run bottom half of the frame to regain the advantage, 8-5.
 
The four-run sixth for USI was highlighted by a two-run blast by senior catcher Lucas McNew (Floyds Knobs, Indiana).
 
The Eagles would strike again in the bottom of the seventh and seal the victory with three more runs to increase the margin to 11-5. McNew led the way for the second-straight frame, crushing a two-run double down the left field line, while USI scored a third run in the inning on a ground out by Ebest.
 
For the game, McNew and Crowden led the way for USI by combining to drive in seven of the 11 USI runs. McNew had four of the RBIs on the home run and double, while Crowden was three-for-three with a the three-run triple.
 
On the mound, junior left-hander Blake Ciuffetelli (Newburgh, Indiana) picked up the first win of the year in relief. Ciuffetelli (1-0) pitched a third of the sixth inning, stopping the WIU two-run rally.
 
USI sophomore right-hander Gavin Morris (Brazil, Indiana) finished the game for the Eagles to earn the save. Morris threw three scoreless innings, allowing one hit and a walk, while striking out two.

Up Next for the Eagles:
The Eagles and the Leathernecks continue the series Saturday with a noon doubleheader at USA Stadium. The series is set to conclude Sun