Box Score: Henderson State 10, #22 Southern Indiana 7
Box Score: #22 Southern Indiana 11, Henderson State 9

ARKADELPHIA, Ark.. – The 22nd-ranked University of Southern Indiana baseball team earned a hard fought split and won the three-game series from Henderson State University Monday afternoon in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. USI dropped the opener, 10-7, but came from behind to win the nightcap 11-9.

The Screaming Eagles (2-4) won the nightcap by fighting back from behind three times before earning the 11-9 victory. USI came back to tie or take the lead in the third, the fifth, and the seventh innings.

The Eagles took the lead for the final time in the seventh inning when junior pinch runner Chad Bruce (Fountaintown, Indiana) was driven in by junior leftfielder Chad Werry (New Harmony, Indiana) on a fielder's choice. USI would finish the scoring in the seventh with an insurance run for the 11-9 final.

Overall offensively, USI was led in the nightcap by Werry, who was one-for-two with two runs scored and two RBIs, and senior first baseman Matt Pliess (Newburgh, Indiana), who was two-for-two with two RBIs. Junior third baseman Josh Huebner (Evansville, Indiana) also had a pair of RBIs on a double.

USI junior right-hander Shaun Larsen (Tell City, Indiana) picked up the win in relief, shutting the door on the Reddies for 2.1 innings. Larsen (1-0) allowed one hit and struck out three to get the win.

In the opener, USI fell short in a comeback attempt and lost a 10-7. The Eagles scored seven run in the final five innings after spotting the Reddies (5-5) a 10-0 lead in the first three innings.

USI was led in the opener by Huebner, Pleiss, junior outfielder Royle Beach (Aurora, Colorado) and junior second baseman Kevin O'Hair (Scottsdale, Arizona) with three hits each.

On the mound, USI senior right-hander Jeremy Kehrt (Plainfield, Indiana) took the loss. Kehrt (0-1) went just 1.1 innings and allowed the first seven runs to the Reddies on four hits and four walks.

The Eagles open the 2008 home schedule Friday by hosting the Holiday Inn/USI Invitational at the USI Baseball Field. The tournament features USI, Missouri Western State University and Winona State University.