Game 1:
@Southern Indiana: 3 Wisconsin-Parkside: 9

Game 2:
@Southern Indiana (10-14, 2-6 GLVC): 7 Wisconsin-Parkside (9-9, 6-3 GLVC): 8

EVANSVILLE, Ind. -- The University of Southern Indiana baseball team battled through the cold, but could not come away with a victory Saturday afternoon. USI dropped a doubleheader to the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, 9-3 and 8-7, at the USI Baseball Field.

USI falls to 10-14 overall and 2-6 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, while UWP goes to 9-9 overall, 6-3 GLVC.

Game one saw the Screaming Eagles jump out to a 3-0 lead through three-and-a-half innings, highlighted by the second inning home run by senior rightfielder Steve Owen (Wauwatosa, Wisconsin). The Rangers answered with a run in the fourth before exploding for four unearned runs in both the fifth and sixth innings to win 9-3.

Junior right-handed pitcher Drew Neel (Newburgh, Indiana) took the loss for the Eagles, going five innings and allowing six hits and six unearned runs. Neel falls to 2-2 this spring.

The Rangers struck again in game two, coming back from a three-run deficit in the sixth and down a run in the ninth to win 8-7. UWP jumped out to a 3-0 lead with three tallies in the first inning before USI scored six unanswered runs to take a 6-3 lead in the top of the sixth.

UWP tied the score in bottom of the sixth with three runs of their own to set the scene in the ninth. The Eagles retook the lead, 7-6, in the top of the ninth on an RBI single by junior catcher Mike Kottmeyer (Boulder, Illinois), scoring Owen. Owen had reached on a double and advanced to third on a pass ball with one out.

The Rangers did not wait long in the ninth inning against USI senior right-hander Bowie Johnson (Brazil, Indiana). UWP strung together a pair of walks and a pair of singles with one out for the 8-7 victory.

Johnson took the loss in relief, falling to 0-4 this spring. Sophomore right-hander Matt Keener (Newburgh, Indiana) started for the Eagles, going 5 2/3 innings, allowing nine hits and six runs (three earned). Freshman right-hander Matt Goans (Evansville, Indiana) followed Keener to the mound, going two innings and allowing three hits in relief.

The Eagles will conclude the three-game series against UWP Sunday, March 30, at the USI Baseball Field. The first pitch is scheduled for noon.