EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The University of Southern Indiana softball team opens its home schedule Tuesday when it hosts future Great Lakes Valley Conference member McKendree University in a doubleheader at the USI Softball Field. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m.
USI (2-2) is coming off a tough 4-1 setback to No. 2 University of Alabama-Huntsville and a 2-0 loss to Truman State University after opening the year with two wins for the first time since 2003.
The Screaming Eagles were led by junior shortstop/pitcher
Stephanie Bittner and freshman pitcher
Brooke Harmening. Bittner hit .583 in 12 trips to the plate, while Harmening was 2-1 with a 3.13 ERA and a .196 opponent batting average in the pitcher's circle. Harmening also had a walk-off, run-scoring single in the Eagles' 2-1, come-from-behind victory over Georgia College & State University.
Tuesday's games mark the first meeting between USI and McKendree since 2005, when the Eagles swept a doubleheader from the Bearcats at the USI Softball Field. The Eagles are 23-3 since 1990 against McKendree and have won 12 straight in the series.
McKendree, which is scheduled to open the season today in Conway, Arkansas, was 26-21 in 2011.
Tuesday's doubleheader marks the earliest the Eagles have opened their home schedule since 2000 and is the first of nine doubleheaders at the USI Softball Field from February 28 to April 1.
Following USI's games against McKendree, the Eagles open GLVC play March 1 when they travel to Kansas City, Missouri, to take on Rockhurst University in a doubleheader. They visit William Jewell College March 2 for a GLVC twinbill before opening the Division II Rebel Spring Games March 4 in Kissimmee, Florida.
USI is 7-5 all-time against Rockhurst after losing both games of last year's doubleheader at the USI Softball Field. The Hawks, who compete in Bentonville, Arkansas, this weekend, are 0-3 to begin the 2012 campaign.
The Eagles, who meet William Jewell for the first time in league play, are 1-0 all-time against the Cardinals after recording a 5-2 win in 1993. William Jewell, which also competes in Conway, Arkansas, this weekend, is 2-1 to begin the season.
USI, which plays six games at the Division II Rebel Spring Games, takes on Concordia University-St. Paul and University of the Sciences-Philadelphia March 4. The Eagles play Fayetteville State University March 6 before taking on Concordia-St. Paul once more later in the day; then close the week March 7 with games against Minnesota State University-Mankato and Seton Hill University.
