BOX SCORE
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The 16th-ranked University of Southern Indiana baseball team started a four-game series against Northern Kentucky University with a 5-2 win Friday night at the USI Baseball Field. USI rose to 18-8 overall and 11-2 GLVC, while NKU falls to 15-13 overall, 5-8 GLVC.
The Screaming Eagles opened the scoring in the third inning when senior leftfielder Michael Huling (South Bend, Indiana) singled in senior second baseman Ben Griggs (Evansville, Indiana) with the 1-0 lead. Griggs had reached on a single and advanced into scoring position on a wild pitch.
USI increased the lead to 3-0 in the bottom of the fourth with RBI singles by sophomore third baseman Reece Rounder (Evansville, Indiana) and senior centerfielder Justin Blinn (Vincennes, Indiana). The Norse would cut into the Eagles' lead with a pair of runs in the top of the sixth, leaving the USI advantage at 3-2.
Rounder restored the Eagles' lead to three-run, 5-2, in the bottom of the sixth when he drove in runs four and five with a RBI double to left center. Rounder ended the game two-for-three with one run scored, a team-best three RBIs, and a double.
On the mound, senior right-hander Trevor Leach (Danville, Indiana) earned win number six by recording his team-best fourth complete game of the year. Leach (6-2) allowed two unearned runs on six hits and four walks, while striking out eight.
The USI-NKU four-game series resumes Saturday with a 3 p.m. doubleheader. The series concludes Sunday with the finale at noon.
