Eagles defeat Ft. Hays State, 7-4
RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – University of Southern Indiana senior right-hander
Trevor Leach (Danville, Indiana) tied the program's career record for wins as the 13th-ranked Screaming Eagles defeated Ft. Hays State University, 7-4, Saturday afternoon in Russellville, Arkansas. USI evens its record at 2-2 in 2011, while FHSU goes to 1-1.
Leach (1-0) threw a complete game to earn his 25th career win, tying him with former All-American and USI Hall of Famer Todd Niemeier (1992-95). The senior right-hander, who is an amazing 25-2 in three-plus seasons, went nine innings, scattering nine hits and allowing four runs. He also struck out nine batters.
USI, which was the home team in the neutral site affair, had to comeback from a pair of FHSU rallies to give Leach a chance at the win. The Tigers posted a 1-0 lead in the first inning and a 4-1 lead in the second inning before the Eagles worked their way back even.
The Eagles took the lead for good in the bottom of the fourth on a two-run double by senior centerfielder
Justin Blinn (Vincennes, Indiana) to make the score 6-4. Junior third baseman Ryan Kacmarski (Mishawaka, Indiana) sealed the win with an RBI single in the fifth.
Overall, Kacmarski finished the game with a pair of hits, a run scored and two RBIs. Blinn was the only other Eagle to have two hits in the game.
The Eagles complete the season opening road swing Sunday when they visit Arkansas Tech University for a 3 p.m. first pitch. USI open the 2011 home schedule February 26 when it hosts the University of Montevallo for a three-game series.
