GAME 1 BOX SCORE; GAME 2 BOX SCORE

EVANSVILLE, Ind.  – The 15th-ranked University of Southern Indiana baseball team opened a nine-game homestand by splitting a doubleheader with the University of Wisconsin-Parkside Friday afternoon at the USI Baseball Field. USI took game one, 4-2, but dropped the nightcap, 4-3.

 

The split takes USI's season to 26-12 overall and 18-6 in the GLVC, while UW-Parkside goes to 11-19, 9-11 GLVC.

 

The Screaming Eagles scored three unearned runs in the bottom of the second inning and sealed the victory with a tally in the seventh to defeat the Rangers, 4-2. USI had spotted UW-Parkside a run in the top of the first, but a Ranger' error opened the door for the Eagles' two-out three-run rally in the second.

 

The bottom two of the USI line-up led the way at the plate. Senior second baseman Ben Griggs (Evansville, Indiana) was two-for-three with a double, two runs scored and a RBI, while freshman rightfielder Brad Wannemuehler (Evansville, Indiana) was two-for-three.

 

On the mound, senior right-hander Trevor Leach (Danville, Indiana) won his eighth game of the spring with his fifth complete game. Leach (8-2) allowed two runs on eight hits, while striking out eight Rangers.

 

In the nightcap, a trio of UW-Parkside hurlers held USI to three runs as the Rangers defeated the Eagles, 4-3. The Rangers scored twice in the third, maintained the margin with a tally in the fourth, and sealed the victory with run in the fifth as the Eagles stranded nine runners. USI also missed a chance to blow the game open in the sixth when it scored only one run after loading the bases with no-one out.

 

USI junior shortstop Brad Vance (Louisville, Kentucky), senior first baseman Adam Enright (Hammond, Indiana), and senior centerfielder Justin Blinn (Vincennes, Indiana) had two hits and a RBI each in the second game. Griggs also matched his first game total with two hits.

 

Senior right-hander Taylor Dennis (Covington, Indiana) was tagged with the loss in the nightcap. Dennis (5-2) allowed four runs, three earnd, on six hits and three walks, while striking out three in 4.1 innings of work. Junior right-hander Silas Dill (Bernie, Missouri) and senior right-hander Mark Walther (Kankakee, Illinois) finished the game for the Eagles.

 

The Eagles and the Rangers conclude the four-game series Saturday with a noon doubleheader.