The University of Southern Indiana softball team recorded 19 hits and scored nine runs to sweep Saint Joseph's College, 5-1 and 4-2, Friday afternoon at the USI Softball Field in Evansville, Indiana. The Screaming Eagles improve to 18-16 overall and 9-7 in the GLVC while the Lady Pumas fall to 12-26-1 overall, 3-11 in the GLVC.

Senior centerfielder Rachel Bowling (Middletown, Indiana) went 2-for-5 on the day with three RBIs while junior pitcher/first baseman Shannon Emmons (Boonville, Indiana) went 4-for-5 with a pair of runs batted in. Emmons also extended her team-high hitting streak to 11 games.

USI also got a big day at the plate from junior third baseman Nichole Pike (Fairfield, Illinois). Pike was 5-of-7 with an RBI and three runs scored.

In game one, Emmons allowed a run in the top of the first inning but settled down to pick up the victory. Emmons (10-12) threw all seven innings, giving up one run off seven hits while striking out one.

The Eagles rebounded from the 1-0 deficit by scoring a pair of runs in the bottom half of the first inning, another in the bottom of the second inning, and two more in the bottom of the fifth inning.

After falling behind by a pair of runs in the second game, the Eagles answered by scoring four runs off four hits and an SJC error, in the bottom of the third inning, to come away with the victory.

Freshman hurler Missy Grover (Mishawaka, Indiana) retired the side in order five times to pick up her seventh victory of the season. Grover (7-4) gave up two runs off five hits while striking out one batter.

Neither pitcher for USI gave up a walk on the afternoon.

USI, which has won 23 of it last 24 home games, will wrap up the weekend with Senior Day tomorrow at the USI Softball Field. The Eagles will host the University of Indianapolis in a GLVC doubleheader beginning at noon.

The Eagles will honor five seniors including their all-time career homerun and RBI leader, Rachel Bowling. Their other four seniors include outfielder Christi Arzola (Valparaiso, Indiana), second baseman Stacy Beedie (Bedford, Indiana), shortstop Jenny Duell (West Lafayette, Indiana), and leftfielder Ginnie Roberts (Lafayette, Indiana).