Box Score: #5 Grand Valley State 14, #29 Southern Indiana 2
Box Score: #29 Southern Indiana 6, #5 GVSU 4

EVANSVILLE, Ind.. – The 29th-ranked University of Southern Indiana baseball team opened the 2008 home schedule by splitting a doubleheader with fifth-ranked Grand Valley State University Saturday afternoon. GVSU won the opener, 14-2, but USI bounced back with a 6-4 nightcap win.

The Eagles came from behind to win the nightcap 6-4 by scoring a run in each of the first five innings. USI spotted GVSU a pair of runs in the first inning, but responded with a tally in the first, second, and third to take a 3-2 lead.

After the Lakers tied the score, 3-3, in the fourth, USI junior second baseman Josh Huebner (Evansville, Indiana) made a diving stop to end the GVSU rally. USI took the momentum in to the bottom of the inning and retook the lead, 4-3, on a RBI single by senior centerfielder Michael Beaven (Indianapolis, Indianapolis).

GVSU tied the game for a second time, 4-4, in the top of the fifth, only to see USI bounce back with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning to make the score 6-4. USI sophomore shortstop Wes Fink (Clarksville, Tennessee) drove in the winning runs with a two-run single, scoring junior third baseman Alex Thieroff (Greenfield, Indiana) and junior pinch runner Chad Bruce (Fountaintown, Indiana).

On the mound, senior righthander Jeremy Kehrt (Plainfield, Indiana) picked up the win for the Eagles in the second game. Kehrt (1-1) allowed four runs on seven hits, while striking out four in five innings.

USI junior right-hander Shaun Larsen (Tell City, Indiana) finished the game to post his second save of the year. Larsen allowed three hits and struck out three in his two innings of work.

In the opener, the Lakers took advantage of six Eagle errors and two passed balls to win 14-2. USI senior left-hander Cory Julian (Lynnville, Indiana) took the loss for the Eagles, allowing five hits, eight runs (four earned), and struck out seven in 3.1 innings.

Offensively, USI was led by junior leftfielder Royle Beach (Aurora, Colorado) with a pair of hits and a runs scored.

The Eagles and the Lakers conclude the three-game series on Sunday with a noon, nine-inning game at the USI Baseball Field.