EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Southern Indiana baseball team fell short in the series opener with the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, 6-5, Saturday afternoon at the USI Baseball Field. USI falls to 9-10 overall and 1-2 in the GLVC, while UWP goes to 9-7 overall, 4-1 GLVC.

The Screaming Eagles spotted the Rangers a 5-0 lead before getting on the scoreboard in the fourth. USI scored a run in the fourth and cut the lead to 5-3 in the fifth on a two-run home run by senior centerfielder Noah Wetzel (New Salisbury, Indiana). The home run, which sailed over the right-centerfield fence, was Wetzel's second of the year.

The Ranger responded with a run in the top of the sixth to make the score, 6-3. The Eagles rallied with a pair of tallies in the bottom of the sixth to cut the lead to 6-5, leaving the tying run at third.

USI junior right-hander Mike Watson (Madison, Indiana) took the loss for the Eagles, going five-plus innings and allowing nine hits and six earned runs. Watson (1-1) was followed to the mound by freshman right-hander Jeremy Kehrt (Plainfield, Indiana) and sophomore right-hander Aaron Clark (Madisonville, Kentucky).

The second game of the doubleheader was suspended with the Rangers leading 9-5 and coming to bat in the top of the seventh. The contest will resume at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, followed by the scheduled doubleheader between USI and UWP.