NORMAL, Ill. – The second-seeded University of Southern Indiana baseball team stumbled against Missouri University of Science & Technology, 2-0, on opening day of the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional. The Midwest Regional is being hosted by Grand Valley State University at the Corn Crib in Normal, Illinois.

 

USI, which falls to 37-18 overall, moves into the elimination bracket and plays sixth-seeded Wayne State University game at noon Friday. WSU fell to 32-20 after dropping a 4-2, 10-inning contest to top-seeded GVSU.

Missouri S&T rises to 30-17 and plays the winner of the third-seeded Northern Kentucky University and fourth-seeded Quincy University game at 7 p.m. tomorrow.

 

The Miners pushed the eventual game-winning run across the plate in the fifth inning when third baseman Zach Carter scored on chopper in front of the plate by shortstop Nick Burke. Missouri S&T sealed the victory in the seventh with three-straight two-out singles to go up 2-0.

 

The Screaming Eagles were only able to get five hits against Miners' left-handed pitcher Zach Gronek. Eagles' senior second baseman Ben Griggs (Evansville, Indiana) was the best at the plate for USI, picking up two of the five hits. The Eagles only had one runner reach third base and three reach second.

 

USI senior right-hander Trevor Leach (Danville, Indiana) pitched well, but picked up the loss on the mound. Leach (9-3) allowed two runs on six hits and three walks, while striking three in throwing a complete game.