BOX SCORES AND PLAY-BY-PLAY:
Grand Valley State University 6, USI 3
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The 11th-ranked University of Southern Indiana baseball team lost its first game of the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional to 20th-ranked Grand Valley State University, 6-3, Saturday morning at the USI Baseball Field in Evansville, Indiana. USI, the regional's top seed, falls to 45-13 overall, while GVSU, the second seed, goes to 37-14.
GVSU right-hander Kyle Schepel and left-hander Matt Cade stymied the USI hitters, holding them to eight hits and three runs. The Screaming Eagles entered the game averaging over 10 runs a game during the post season.
The USI offense was highlighted by sophomore second baseman Brad Vance (Louisville, Kentucky), who tied the game, 2-2, in the top of the fourth with a two-run home run to left field. The home run was Vance's ninth of the season.
The Lakers got off to a strong start in the first inning when first baseman Cory Maguire hit a two-run blast to make the score, 2-0. GVSU took the lead for good with a four-run rally in the bottom of the fourth after USI had tied the score on Vance's drive.
The Eagles play a second game today at 7 p.m. against the winner of the third-seeded Northern Kentucky University and sixth-seeded University of Indianapolis 3 p.m. elimination game. The winner of tonight 7 p.m. elimination game will play GVSU for the regional championship at noon Sunday.
