at Southern Indiana (21-19, 10-12 GLVC): 3, 8
Kentucky Wesleyan (15-24, 6-16 GLVC): 1, 7
Box Scores: Game 1 | Game 2 (10 innings)

EVANSVILLE, Ind.—Senior third baseman LeAnn Collins hit a walk-off, game-winning single in the bottom of the 10th inning to give the University of Southern Indiana softball team an 8-7 game-two victory and a two-game Great Lakes Valley Conference sweep of visiting Kentucky Wesleyan College Friday evening at the USI Softball Field. USI won the first game 3-1.

After spotting the Panthers (15-24, 6-16 GLVC) a 7-3 lead in the second game, the Screaming Eagles rallied with four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to tie the contest and swing momentum into their favor.

Senior second baseman Amanda Brendel, who went a combined 4-of-8 with two home runs, two doubles, and six RBIs on the day, had a big three-run home run in the sixth inning to bring the Eagles to within a run. Earlier in the game, it was Brendel's run-scoring double that capped off a 3-run third inning that gave USI a 3-1 advantage.

Following Brendel's home run, the Eagles (21-19, 10-12 GLVC) got a pinch-hit, RBI-groundout from junior Kristen O'Haver to tie the contest at 7-7.

Each team missed out on golden scoring opportunities in the extra innings, but it was a lead-off single by sophomore outfielder Katherine Belsito followed by a passed ball and a long fly-out that set up Collins' game-winning hit in the 10th frame.

Freshman hurler Madeline Brink pitched brilliantly for the Eagles as she came on in relief to pick up the victory after allowing just two hits and an unearned run to grab the win in game one. Brink (11-9), who threw a total of 176 pitches and fanned 11 batters on the day, scattered five hits and one run throughout 5 1/3 innings to earn the win in game two.

In the opening game, Brendel had a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning to give USI a 1-0 lead. She hit a run-scoring double in the sixth inning to break a 1-1 tie; then came around to score USI's third run on a Belsito RBI-single.

Defensively, Brink sent the Kentucky Wesleyan batters down in order in five of her seven innings of work as she recorded her 13th complete-game of the year.

USI returns to action Saturday at noon when it hosts Rockhurst University in a GLVC doubleheader at the USI Softball Field. The Eagles, who will honor their seven seniors following Saturday's games due to the probability of rain in the forecast on Sunday, can clinch the eighth and final spot in the conference tournament with a pair of wins over Rockhurst.

Notes: Senior second baseman Amanda Brendel has reached base in all 40 games this season and has reached base in 41 straight contests dating back to last year…she has a team-high eight home runs this season…sophomore designated player/infielder Stephanie Bittner tied the single-season school record for walks when she drew her 27th free pass of the season in the sixth inning of game one.