USI 5, NKU 2

FLORENCE, Ky. – University of Southern Indiana junior catcher Garrett Oros (Aurora, Illinois) drove in four runs to lead the Screaming Eagles to a 5-2 victory over Northern Kentucky University Sunday afternoon in Florence, Kentucky. USI takes a regular season series from NKU for the first time since 2003 in raising its record to 13-6 overall and 4-3 in the GLVC.

NKU falls to 4-13 overall and 3-4 in the GLVC.

Oros gave the Eagles the lead in the fourth inning with a two-out, two-RBI single, scoring senior rightfielder Hunter Slade (Newburgh, Indiana) and sophomore designated hitter Chad Werry (New Harmony, Indiana). Slade and Werry reached base on walks and advanced into scoring position on a wild pitch.

The Eagles enlarged the lead to 3-0 in the fifth inning on an RBI double by sophomore leftfielder Chad Bruce (Fountaintown, Indiana). Junior centerfielder Michael Beaven (Indianapolis, Indiana) scored on the play after reaching on a fielder's choice and advancing on a passed ball.

After NKU cut the USI lead to 3-1 in the bottom of the fifth, Oros sealed the victory in the top of the seventh with his second two-out, two-RBI single of the game. USI senior second baseman Darin Mastroianni (Huntersville, North Carolina) and Slade scored on Oros' single to make the score 5-1.

The Norse would finish the scoring by posting a single tally in the bottom of the seventh to make the score 5-2.

Oros is hitting .600 with runners in scoring position and two outs this season. He also is tied with Mastroianni with eight two-out RBI hits.

On the mound, junior lefthander Cory Julian (Lynnville, Indiana) won his second game of the year for USI. Julian (2-1) went 5.1 innings and allowed four hits and one run, while striking out one NKU hitter.

Julian was followed to the mound by senior right-hander Aaron Clark (Madisonville, Kentucky) and sophomore right-hander Dan Kissel (Evansville, Indiana) before senior right-hander Brook Meier (Rock Falls, Illinois) finished the game for USI. Clark allowed two hits and a run in 1.2 innings of work, while Kissell pitched a scoreless inning.

Meier allowed two hits in the ninth but was aided by double play to earn his fourth save of the year.

The Eagles return to action 1 p.m. Tuesday at Kentucky Wesleyan College. Prior to the scheduled nine-inning GLVC game, USI and KWC will complete the suspended conference game from last Wednesday with the Eagles leading 5-2 in the top of the eighth.