EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The University of Southern Indiana softball team returns to action Thursday when it hosts Midwest Region foe Oakland City University in a 4 p.m. doubleheader at the USI Softball Field. The Screaming Eagles resume Great Lakes Valley Conference play Saturday when they travel to Romeoville, Illinois, for a noon doubleheader with Lewis University.
USI concludes the weekend Sunday at noon with a GLVC doubleheader against the University of Wisconsin-Parkside in Somers, Wisconsin. Game coverage, including live stats and video, can be found at gousieagles.com.
The Eagles (20-15, 10-12 GLVC), who are currently fourth in the GLVC East Division and in possession of one of the two wild card spots for the GLVC Tournament, are coming off a doubleheader split with Saint Joseph's College this past Sunday. After seeing a perfect game by sophomore
Brooke Harmening evaporate in extra innings in a 3-0 game one loss, the Eagles rallied from a 3-1 deficit in game two to post a 7-5 win and snap a season-long six-game skid.
Freshman
Janna Green paced the Eagles in the win with a 3-of-4 effort at the plate that included a double and three RBIs. Green currently leads the Eagles with a .330 batting average, while Harmening is hitting .327 with a team-high eight doubles, seven home runs, and 33 RBIs.
Harmening (15-8) is looking to snap a tough stretch in the pitcher's circle that has seen her suffer losses in her last five decisions. Harmening, who suffered three of those setbacks to No. 1 University of Indianapolis, leads USI in wins, ERA (1.49), strikeouts (112), and opponent batting average (.183).
Oakland City, which hosts Mid-Continent University Tuesday, is 14-6 on the season and features an offensive lineup that has three players with a .400 batting average or better. Senior Kyndal Thompson is hitting .485 on the season with a home run and 10 RBIs, while sophomore Amanda Braunecker has a team-best three home runs and 22 RBIs.
Braunecker leads the Lady Oaks in the pitcher's circle with a 7-1 record and a 2.26 ERA.
Lewis (16-10, 11-5 GLVC), which hosts Midwest Region foe Ferris State University Tuesday, has won four straight games entering this week's action. The Flyers are led by seniors Michelle Vuscko and Jayme Hefler. Vuscko is hitting .403 with five home runs and 20 RBIs, while Hefler is hitting .400 with 27 runs scored and 16 stolen bases.
Sophomore Kelly Bowler leads the Flyers in the circle with a 9-5 record and a 2.14 ERA.
USI and Lewis were scheduled to play in Evansville in March, but the games were cancelled due to poor playing conditions.
The Eagles split their home doubleheader with UW-Parkside last month as USI claimed a 3-0 win in game one before suffering a 2-1 setback in the nightcap.
UW-Parkside (7-24, 4-15 GLVC), which plays Saint Xavier University Tuesday, has lost three straight games and eight of its last nine entering this week's action. Freshman Alexis Simone and Katie Neubauer lead the Rangers with a combined eight home runs and 41 RBIs, while junior Kristin Kleinmeyer is 4-6 with a 4.36 ERA inside the circle.
