Southern Indiana (11-7, 2-0 GLVC): 9, 10
at Maryville (2-12, 0-2 GLVC): 1, 4
Box Scores: Game 1 | Game 2

ST. LOUIS, Mo.—Sophomore pitcher/infielder Stephanie Bittner had three home runs, a double, a triple, and seven RBIs as the University of Southern Indiana softball team swept host Maryville University, 9-1 and 10-4, Saturday to open Great Lakes Valley Conference play Saturday.

Bittner began the day by going 3-of-4 at the plate with a double, two home runs, and six RBIs in USI's 9-1 victory in the first game. She went 2-of-3 with a triple and a home run in USI's 10-4 game-two victory.

In addition to her offensive efforts, Bittner (3-4) earned the victory in the second game as she scattered four runs, three earned, and six hits throughout seven innings.

USI (11-7, 2-0 GLVC) trailed 1-0 in game one before scoring three times in the top of the second inning and four times in the fourth inning to take a 7-1 lead. Senior catcher Dani Monks tied the game with her RBI-double in the second inning and Bittner gave USI a 3-1 advantage with her first two-run home run.

Bittner's two-run double in the fourth inning gave the Screaming Eagles a 5-1 advantage before senior shortstop Dani Finkelstein and senior first baseman Brittany DeWeese recorded RBIs later in the frame to put USI up by six runs.

Freshman pitcher Madeline Brink earned her team-high fifth win of the year after scattering one run and seven hits throughout seven innings. Brink (5-2) struck out three batters and did not allow a walk.

In game two, the Eagles struck first when senior second baseman Amanda Brendel hit a two-run home run in the top of the first inning to stake USI to a 2-0 lead. USI scored another run in the second inning, then plated three more runs in the third frame on the strength of a DeWeese RBI-single and a two-run home run by senior third baseman LeAnn Collins.

Collins had an RBI-single in the fourth inning to put the Eagles up 7-1, while senior outfielder Heather Swarts had a solo home run in the fifth inning to put USI up 8-3. Finkelstein added an RBI-double later in the fifth frame, while Bittner's solo home run in the seventh inning capped off the Eagles' scoring output.

USI returns to action Sunday at noon when it travels to Rolla, Missouri, to take on Missouri University of Science & Technology in a GLVC doubleheader. Live stats and audio can be accessed at gousieagles.com.