Box Score Game 1: USI 5, UMSL 0
Box Score Game 2: USI 4, UMSL 3


EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Southern Indiana baseball team reached the .500 mark for the first time two weeks with a doubleheader sweep of the University of Missouri-St. Louis Wednesday afternoon at the USI Baseball Field. USI raises its record to 15-15 overall and 7-7 in the GLVC, while UMSL falls to 12-8 overall, 5-7 GLVC.

USI senior right-hander Matt Keener (Newburgh, Indiana) threw a gem of a game in the opener to pick up his second win of the year. Keener (2-2) allowed just one hit and two walks during his seven innings of work, while striking out three. The Rivermen's only hit of the game did not come until the top of the sixth.

The big hit for USI in game one came during the four-run third when sophomore rightfielder Hunter Slade (Newburgh, Indiana) slapped a two-run single to right field. Keener also helped himself at the plate, going two-for-three with a run scored and a RBI.

USI junior right-hander Mike Watson (Madison, Indiana) also picked up his second win of the year in the nightcap. Watson (2-1) scattered seven hits and two runs over seven innings and struck out two before giving way to the bullpen to finish the game.

After Watson allowed the first two batters to reach in the eighth, junior left-hander Nathan Arnold (Evansville, Indiana) pitched the Eagles out of trouble by striking out UMSL first baseman Jonathan Pate and getting UMSL leftfielder Mark Sanders to hit into a double play.

In the ninth, Arnold was able to get the first two outs before a pair of Rivermen hits put runners at first and second. Senior right-hander Jae Fadde (West Lafayette, Indiana) finished the game for the Eagles by striking out Rivermen centerfielder Matt Rose for his second save of the year.

Slade led the Eagles offensively by knocking in senior centerfielder Noah Wetzel (New Salisbury, Indiana) in the fourth and the seventh innings. Wetzel would score three times in the nightcap, reaching base twice on walks and once on a fielder's choice, and stole three bases.

The Eagles continue their 14-game homestand Saturday and Sunday when they host the University of Indianapolis for a GLVC four-game series. The first pitch for the doubleheader on Saturday and Sunday is scheduled for noon.