EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The University of Southern Indiana softball team opens its 2009 home schedule Wednesday when it host Brescia University in a 4 p.m. doubleheader at the USI Softball Field.

USI (7-17) is looking to snap a two-game skid after dropping decisions to Southwest Minnesota State University, 4-3, and Wayne State University, 8-0, Saturday to conclude the Division II Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee, Florida.

The Screaming Eagles have been snake-bit in the early going this season, dropping 10 games by one run and 12 games by two runs or less. USI also is 1-5 in extra-inning contests.

One bright spot for the Eagles is the steadily improving pitching. Senior Stephanie Schneider (Birdseye, Indiana) recorded her first complete-game shutout of the season last week at the Rebel Spring Games and had two contests in which she recorded 10 or more strikeouts.

Freshman Hadley Clark (Owensboro, Kentucky) and junior Kambria Current (Indianapolis, Indiana) also had strong performances last week, with each posting complete-game victories.

For the season, Current (1-1) leads the team with a 2.53 ERA in eight appearances, while Clark (2-1) has a 2.55 ERA and a team-best .221 opponent batting average. Schneider (3-8) leads USI with 65 strikeouts and has a 2.75 ERA as well as a .262 opponent batting average in a team-best 12 appearances.

Offensively, the Eagles are led by sophomore infielders Amanda Brendel (Salem, Illinois) and Brittany DeWeese (Evansville, Indiana). Brendel is hitting .284 with three home runs and 11 RBIs, while DeWeese is hitting .270 with four home runs and 12 RBIs. Junior designated player Sara Loete (Pekin, Illinois) also has three home runs and 11 RBIs.

Brescia enters Wednesday's games with a 5-7 mark after splitting a doubleheader with Berea College Sunday.

Following USI's doubleheader with Brescia, the Eagles open GLVC play Saturday when they visit the University of Missouri-St. Louis for a noon doubleheader. The Tritons (12-11, 2-2 GLVC) swept the season-series from the Eagles last year before eliminating USI from the GLVC Tournament.

USI closes its opening weekend of league play Sunday when it heads to Rolla, Missouri, to take on Missouri University of Science and Technology in another noon doubleheader. The Eagles and Miners (5-12, 0-4 GLVC) split last year's season series in Evansville.