KENNESAW, Ga.—The University of Southern Indiana softball team fell to the University of Nebraska-Omaha, 8-1, Friday evening at the Owl Classic. The Screaming Eagles, who lost to No. 2-ranked Kennesaw State University, 11-0 in five innings, earlier in the day, fall to 0-2 after their first day of action.

USI spotted the UNO Mavericks three runs in the top of the first inning and another in the second inning to go into an early 4-0 deficit. All four runs were unearned.

Staked to a 4-1 lead, the Mavericks (1-2) plated four more runners in the top of the seventh inning to put the game on ice.

Sophomore utility player Audra Lindenschmidt (Evansville, Indiana) provided the Eagles lone run as she laced a pinch-hit single into leftfield to drive in senior outfielder Jessica Brown (Evansville, Indiana), who was in the game as a pinch-runner.

USI had four hits in the contest, stranding two runners on base. Senior centerfielder Sunny Oelling (Valparaiso, Indiana) led the Eagles by going 2-of-3 from the plate with a pair of singles.

Junior hurler Missy Grover (Mishawaka, Indiana) was charged with the loss after giving up eight runs, just one earned, off 11 hits in seven innings of work. Grover (0-1) recorded a pair of strikeouts in the defeat.

USI will finish its opening weekend Saturday when it takes on No. 5-ranked Northern Kentucky University at 8 a.m. (CST) and Wayne State University at 2 p.m. (CST). Both games are regional contests for the Eagles, while the NKU game is non-conference.

The Eagles will open their 2005 home schedule Tuesday at the new USI Softball Field when they host St. Mary-of-the-Woods College for a 3 p.m. doubleheader.