EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Softball split its series-opening doubleheader against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville at USI Softball Field on Friday, as the Screaming Eagles won in walk-off fashion, 4-3, in game 1 before falling in game 2, 5-3.
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With Friday’s results, Southern Indiana moved to 16-18 overall and 9-7 in Ohio Valley Conference action. SIUE went to 16-22 this season with a 3-9 record in OVC play. USI reached a season-best four-game winning streak after the game 1 win and before the Cougars snapped the streak in game 2.
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In Friday’s first game, USI tallied the first runs of the game in the bottom of the first inning. After the first two Screaming Eagles reached base in junior outfielder Mackenzie Bedrick (Brownsburg, Indiana) and sophomore outfielder Kennedy Nalley (Huntingburg, Indiana), senior Allie Goodin (Evansville, Indiana) lifted a ball to the outfield fence for a two-RBI double that gave USI an early 2-0 lead.
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SIUE answered to tie the game at two in the second inning, and the Cougars grabbed another run in the third to take a one-run lead.
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Following a few scoreless innings, the Screaming Eagles evened the game at three in the bottom of the sixth inning, as Goodin led off the frame with her third home run of the season and third RBI of the contest. The momentum carried into the bottom of the seventh inning, as the first USI batters reached to load the bases. Two hitters later and with one out, Nalley took a 3-1 pitch into right-center field to score senior infielder Jordan Rager (Fishers, Indiana) for the walk-off victory.
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Goodin had two hits with three RBIs in the first game, and senior infielder Rachel Martinez (Chicago, Illinois) also had a pair of hits.
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In the pitching circle, sophomore pitcher Josie Newman (Indianapolis, Indiana) was credited with her 13th win of the season in her 13th complete game. The right-hander struck out three and allowed three runs – two earned – off seven hits.
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For SIUE, junior Kelsey Ray was dealt the loss, dropping to 4-9 this season. Ray struck out four and surrendered four runs – three earned – off five hits in six innings.
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In game 2, it was SIUE who struck first on the scoreboard, scoring three runs and forcing USI into an early pitching change. USI responded with a run in the home half of the first with another RBI hit on the day by Goodin.
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SIUE built a 5-1 advantage through four innings, but Southern Indiana made a late push toward another comeback bid just like in game 1. Following three errors by SIUE, USI made it a three-run game, 5-2. A productive RBI groundout manufactured another run for USI, bringing the Screaming Eagles within two, 5-3, but the late charge ended there. SIUE got out of the inning with no further damage and closed out the rest of the game.
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Rager led USI with two hits, while Goodin and sophomore Hailey Gotshall (Lucerne, Indiana) were responsible for USI’s two RBIs.
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USI freshman pitcher Raegan Gibson (Louisville, Kentucky), who made her first OVC start, was tagged with the loss, recording one out and giving up three runs. Freshman pitcher Kylie Eads (Indianapolis, Indiana) pitched 2.2 innings with one run allowed in middle relief. Gotshall finished the game in the pitching circle for USI with one unearned run allowed in four innings.
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The Cougars’ freshman pitcher Rylie Pindel picked up her fourth win after allowing two unearned runs in 3.1 innings of relief after junior starting pitcher Sydney Baalman tossed the first 3.2 innings with an unearned run surrendered.
