BOX SCORE
 

EVANSVILLE, Ind.  – University of Southern Indiana junior third baseman Ryan Kaczmarski (Mishawaka, Indiana) singled in the game-winning run in the bottom of the 13th inning to lead the top-seeded Screaming Eagles to a 5-4 win to open the GLVC Tournament in Sauget, Illinois. USI rises to 35-15 overall, while eighth-seeded Rockhurst University falls to 23-25.

 

Kaczmarski capped of the victory with the walk-off single that scored senior first baseman Adam Enright (Hammond, Indiana), who doubled to lead off the 13th. Enright advanced to third when freshman catcher Brent Weinzapfel (Evansville, Indiana) reached on an error. Rockhurst loaded the bases by intentionally walking junior second baseman Benshell Garcia (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) to set the stage for Kaczmarski.

 

On the mound, senior right-hander Dan Marcacci (Jupiter, Florida) picked up the win in relief. Marcacci (6-1) worked three scoreless innings, allowing four hits and striking out one.

 

The Eagles struck first in the game with a pair of runs in the first inning. USI senior centerfielder Justin Blinn (Vincennes, Indiana), who led off with a double, crossed the plate with the first run on a one-out single by senior leftfielder Michael Huling (South Bend, Indiana).

 

USI pushed the lead to 2-0 in the first inning when Enright singled in senior shortstop Brad Vance (Louisville, Kentucky).

 

The Hawks broke through in the fifth with a single tally to cut the lead in half and took the lead in the seven with a two-run rally. Rockhurst would add a run in the eighth to take a 4-2 advantage.

 

The Eagles rallied to tie the game with two-outs in the bottom of the ninth. Junior second baseman Benshell Garcia (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) started rally by being hit by a pitch, while Kaczmarski kept the rally alive with a double to right center that put runners at second and third.

 

Blinn tied the game, 4-4, with a two-run double to leftfield. He missed a three-run, walk-off home run by less than an inch, hitting the top of the very top of the wall.  

 

USI senior right-hander Trevor Leach (Danville, Indiana) had a rough day for the Eagles and earned a no-decision. Leach allowed three runs, one earned, on six hits and six walks, while striking out four in seven innings.

 

Senior right-hander Jared Canterbury (Petersburg, Illinois) followed Leach and allowed one run in the eighth, while junior right-hander Silas Dill (Bernie, Missouri) pitched a scoreless ninth and 10th.

 

The Eagles return to action in the GLVC Tournament at noon Friday when they play fourth-seeded Quincy University at GCS Ballpark. Quincy advanced to Friday game after defeating fifth-seeded Lewis University, 5-2.