Box Score: USI 11, OCU 5


EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Southern Indiana baseball team stopped a three-game losing streak with an 11-5 victory over Oakland City University Wednesday afternoon at the USI Baseball Field. The Screaming Eagles climbed back over the .500 mark to 4-3 overall, while Oakland City remains winless at 0-3.

After the Might Oaks took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second, the Eagles responded with four runs in the bottom of the second and a tally in the bottom of the third to take a 5-1 lead. Oakland City would chip away with a pair of runs in the fourth and the sixth to tie the game, 5-5.

The Eagles retook the lead with another four-run inning in the bottom of the seventh and sealed the victory with a pair of tallies in the bottom of the eighth.

USI junior right-hander Jeremy Kehrt (Plainfield, Indiana) picked up his second victory of the year, going seven of the nine innings. Kehrt (2-0) allowed eight hits and five runs, four earned, while striking out five batters to earn the victory.

Sophomore right-hander Michael Dewig finished the game for the Eagles. Dewig went two innings, allowing just one hit.

At the plate, junior second baseman Darin Mastroianni (Huntersville, North Carolina) continued to have the hot bat for the Eagles. Mastroianni went three-for-four with two runs scored, an RBI, and four stolen bases.

For the season, Mastoianni is hitting .536 with 10 stolen bases and 12 runs scored.

USI junior designated hitter Bryan Rudden, junior first baseman Matt Pleiss (Newburgh, Indiana), senior rightfielder Hunter Slade (Newburgh, Indiana), and sophomore leftfielder Chad Bruce had a pair of hits each in the victory. Junior catcher Garrett Oros (Aurora, Illinois) led the team with a pair of RBIs in the win.

USI and Oakland City are scheduled to match-up again 1 p.m. Thursday at Oakland City University. The Eagles return to the USI Baseball Field this weekend when they host the University of Findlay Sunday and Monday for a three-game series.