The University of Southern Indiana softball team dropped a pair of Great Lakes Valley Conference games to Bellarmine University this afternoon at the USI Softball Field in Evansville, Indiana. The Screaming Eagles, which were opening their 2002 home schedule this afternoon, fall to 10-9 overall and 0-2 in the GLVC while the Lady Knights improve to 12-5 overall and 2-0 in the GLVC.

Senior hurler Danielle Garnett (Griffith, Indiana) was charged with the loss, which dropped her to 6-4 on the season, in game one as she gave up seven runs off 11 hits in seven innings of work. The Eagles struggled from the plate as they produced just one run off six hits.

Junior centerfielder/pitcher Rachel Bowling (Middletown, Indiana) hit a solo homerun in the bottom of the fourth and came around to score after hitting a double to right field in the bottom of the sixth inning to give USI a 2-0 lead heading into the seventh inning of game two.

Bowling spread eight hits throughout the first six innings, as she did not give up a run. However, the top of the seventh inning brought doom for the junior as she gave up five straight singles to start the inning before giving way to Garnett.

With the game tied at 2-2 and the bases loaded with no outs, Bellarmine's designated player, Jennifer Hunt, pushed a bunt that rolled halfway between home plate and the pitching circle. Garnett attempted to get the ball to sophomore catcher Kristen Houseworth (Martinsville, Indiana), but the throw was a split second late as the Lady Knights snatched a 3-2 lead on the Eagles.

USI got the tying run on base in the bottom of the seventh but could not get the run across as it fell for the second time of the day. Bowling (4-5) was charged with the loss in game two after giving up three runs on 13 hits.

The Eagles will attempt to rebound as they host rival Kentucky Wesleyan College in a doubleheader tomorrow at the USI Softball Field. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.