DECATUR, Ala.—The University of Southern Indiana softball team rallied from a five-run deficit to defeat Columbus State University, 14-13, and salvage a split Sunday at the University of Alabama-Huntsville Charger Chillout. The Screaming Eagles ended an 11-game losing streak after falling in their first game, 3-2, to Truman State University earlier in the day.

USI (1-11), which got home runs from junior designated player Sara Loete (Pekin, Illinois) and senior shortstop Ally McKinley (Sullivan, Indiana), scored five times in the bottom of the fifth inning to take an 11-9 lead over Columbus State.

After the Cougars (8-10) closed the gap to 11-10 in the top of the sixth frame, back-to-back doubles by freshman pitcher Hadley Clark (Owensboro, Kentucky) and junior catcher Tara McConnell (Henderson, Kentucky) extended the Eagles' advantage to four runs.

The three-run sixth inning proved to be the difference maker for the Eagles as Columbus State scored three times in the top portion of the seventh inning before Clark got CSU shortstop Brittany Leverett to fly out to leftfield for the final out.

Clark (1-0) picked up the victory after giving up four runs, two earned in 4.2 innings of a relief appearance. She also went 2-for-2 at the plate with three RBIs.

Earlier in the day, the Eagles saw a 2-0 lead fall by the wayside as Truman State (2-4) scored three times in the bottom of the third inning to take a one-run advantage. The Eagles had four hits in the first two innings but were held to just three base runners in the final five frames as they lost their seventh one-run game of the season.

Senior pitcher Stephanie Schneider (Birdseye, Indiana) fell to 0-5 with the decision after giving up three runs off six hits in 6.0 innings of work.

USI opens its 2009 home slate Saturday when it hosts Hillsdale College in a 10 a.m. doubleheader at the USI Softball Field. The Eagles also host Ashland University next Sunday at noon.