Game One
Truman State (1-0): 3
Southern Indiana (0-2): 1
Box Score

Game Two
Columbus State (3-1): 4
Southern Indiana: 2
Box Score

DECATUR, Ala.—The University of Southern Indiana softball team surrendered runs in the first innings of both games Friday as it opened the season with a 3-1 setback to Truman State University and a 4-2 loss to Columbus State University Friday at the University of Alabama-Huntsville Charger Chillout.

Errors, defensive miscues, and control issues hampered the Screaming Eagles in their loss to Truman State. The Bulldogs (1-0) capitalized on a passed ball to plate a run in the top of the first inning.

USI junior hurler Dawn McClellan hit the Bulldogs' lead-off hitter in the fifth inning and paid the price for it later as Truman State sent the batter across the plate to take a 2-0 lead. An error in the sixth inning gave the Bulldogs an insurmountable 3-0 lead.

The Eagles (0-2) got on the board in the bottom of the sixth inning when senior designated player Sara Loete hit a run-scoring single to leftfield. Loete went 2-for-2 from the plate against Truman State, but was 0-of-3 against Columbus State.

Columbus State (3-1) silenced the Eagles' bats throughout the first four innings as it raced out to a 2-0 lead. The Cougars took advantage of a lead-off single to score the first run of the game in the top half of the first inning; then capitalized on a lead-off walk to score again in the third frame.

Junior first baseman Brittany DeWeese hit an RBI double in the bottom of the fifth inning to cut USI's deficit in half, but a four-hit sixth inning allowed the Cougars to score twice and increase their lead to 4-1.

Sophomore third baseman Kristen O'Haver hit a solo home run in the seventh inning to bring the Eagles to within two runs, but a game-ending double play closed the door on USI's comeback hopes.

DeWeese and O'Haver led the Eagles offense against Columbus State. DeWeese went 1-for-2 from the plate with a walk and the RBI-double, while O'Haver was 2-of-3 from the dish with the home run.

McClellan was charged with the loss against Truman State despite giving up just one earned run in seven innings. McClellan (0-1), who gave up just four hits, did struggle with her control as she hit a pair of batters and issued four free passes.

Sophomore pitcher Hadley Clark was pinned with the setback against Columbus State after giving up four earned runs off eight hits and six walks.

USI continues the Charger Chillout Saturday when it takes on Delta State University and No. 20 Wayne State University at 10 a.m. and noon, respectively.