EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The University of Southern Indiana softball team split a doubleheader with the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, winning game one 4-1 before dropping the second game 7-2, Saturday afternoon at the USI Softball Field.
Sophomore catcher
Lisa Anderson (Chesterton, Indiana), who extended her team-high hitting streak to 13 games with hits in both contests, gave the Screaming Eagles all the run support they would need in game one as she sent a one-out, two-run blast over the leftfield fence in the bottom of the first inning to give USI a 2-1 advantage. It was Anderson's team-high third home run of the season.
USI (26-17, 9-7 GLVC) tacked on a run in the fourth and another in the sixth to give junior pitcher
Lindsey McNaughton (Carmel, Indiana) insurance against a tough Ranger lineup. McNaughton (11-6), who gave up a solo home run in the top of the first inning to UWP senior first baseman Emma Strohbusch, went the distance, allowing just one run and four hits.
While the Eagles held the GLVC's leading home run hitter, Meloney Strohbusch, in check, Emma Strohbusch was a thorn in the Eagles' side all day. She drove in the first run of game two in the top of the first and later homered down the leftfield line in the third inning to give the Rangers a 3-1 advantage in the nightcap.
Freshman third baseman
Kristin Eickholt's (Van Wert, Ohio) double in the bottom of the third inning got the Eagles to with in a run, but USI's offense could not plate another runner as it saw its three-game winning streak come to an end. Eickholt was a combined 3-of-4 on the afternoon with a run scored and a pair of RBIs.
The Rangers (27-21, 11-7 GLVC) put the second contest on ice in the seventh inning as they scored four runs, three coming on a three-run shot off the bat of sophomore designated player Allison Wodziak.
Junior pitcher
Missy Grover (Mishawaka, Indiana) was charged with the loss as she gave up all seven runs, six earned, off nine hits and four walks in 6 2/3 innings of work. Grover falls to 13-9 with the setback.
The Eagles, who remain in sixth in the standings, could still move as high as third with a sweep on Sunday and some help from around the league. USI will host Lewis University for its regular-season finale. Tomorrow's doubleheader is Senior Day as well as USI Varsity Club Day at the USI Softball Field and the Eagles will honor their three seniors prior to the noon start.
