BOX SCORES AND PLAY-BY-PLAY:
GAME 1: USI 15, Rockhurst 7 (11 innings)
GAME 2; USI 11, Rockhurst 0
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The 22nd-ranked University of Southern Indiana baseball team used an offensive explosion to sweep the first half of a four-game series against Rockhurst University, 15-7 in 11 innings and 11-0, Saturday afternoon in Kansas City, Missouri. USI goes to 28-8 overall and 15-3 in the GLVC, while Rockhurst falls 17-15, 7-9 GLVC.
The Screaming Eagles came from behind to win game one. 15-7, on the strength of an eight-run 11th inning. USI senior rightfielder Caleb Ehmke (Waterloo, Indiana) gave started the rally with a lead-off and game-winning home run to start the 11th.
Junior catcher Dylan Mooney (St. Charles, Missouri) also had a two-run blast in the 11th as the Eagles sent 14 men to the plate.
The Hawks started the game one fireworks with a four-run first inning before the Eagles could get on the board in the second inning on a home run by senior third baseman Wes Fink (Clarksville, Tennessee). USI would come back to tie the game 4-4 with runs in the fourth, seventh, and eighth. The Eagles also took a brief lead 7-4 in the top of the ninth before the Hawks tied the game with a three-run of their own in the ninth.
USI senior pitcher/shortstop Wandy Rosario (Boston, Massachusetts) got the win in relief, despite giving up the three runs in the ninth. Rosario (2-0) went 3.1 innings, allowing five hits and three runs. He also struck out three batters.
Junior right-hander Trevor Leach (Danville, Indiana) started and got a no decision in the game. Leach allowed four first inning runs and eight hits, while striking five in 7.1 innings of work.
The Eagles pounded out three home runs and got a complete game shutout from junior right-hander Taylor Dennis (Covington, Indiana) to win the nightcap 11-0.
Mooney, junior centerfielder Justin Blnn (Vincennes, Indiana), and sophomore second baseman Brad Vance (Louisville, Kentucky) hit home runs in the five-run seventh inning to seal the USI win. Mooney's round-tripper was his second of the day and his team-high sixth of the season, while Vance's two-run blast was his fourth of the season. Blinn also has four home runs this season after his three-run clout.
Mooney finished the day with seven hits in 11 trips to the plate with two home runs, two doubles, and seven RBIs. He also scored five runs.
Dennis (4-1) record his second complete-game shutout of the year as he posted his fourth win of the season. He scattered four hits and struck out six in his seven innings of work.
USI and Rockhurst conclude the four-game series with a doubleheader Sunday at noon in Kansas City, Missouri.
