EVANSVILLE, Ind. -- University of Southern Indiana baseball team came back from three runs down to thunder past Oakland City University, 18-5, Wednesday afternoon at the USI Baseball Field. USI goes to 2-0 overall, while Oakland City falls to 0-1 in the young season.

Junior right-handed pitcher/designated hitter Matt Keener (Newburgh, Indiana) had a rough start to 2004, allowing a lead-off home run in the first inning and allowed four runs (two earned) in four innings of work before the offense kicked in for him. After getting down 3-0, the Eagles bounced back with a run in the second, two in the third, and exploded for four runs in the fourth, ignited by Keener's RBI triple to start the inning.

The Eagles followed up their four-run fourth with nine in the sixth and two more in the seventh. The Mighty Oaks added a run in the ninth for the 18-5 final.

Freshman right-hander Adam Vetter (Crown Point, Indiana) picked up his first collegiate win in relief of Keener. Vetter went two innings, allowing just one hit and one walk.

At the plate, senior third baseman Adam Stone (Mt. Vernon, Indiana) went four-for-five with three RBIs and a double in his first start for the Eagles. Stone was joined by Keener, senior first baseman Toby Pritchard (Ft. Wayne, Indiana), junior centerfielder Noah Wetzel (New Salisbury, Indiana), and senior catcher Mike Kottmeyer (Boulder, Illinois) with multiple hits.

In addition to a pair of hits, Kottmeyer and Keener both scored three times in the game.

USI goes on the road this weekend for a three-game series at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee, Saturday and Sunday, February 28-29. The Eagles' road trip begins a stretch of 10 games on the road before opening the GLVC regular season schedule Saturday and Sunday, March 13-14 at home against Quincy University.