at #8 Southern Indiana (43-12): 6
Wayne State (36-17): 2
-Box Score:
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EVANSVILLE, Ind.—Sophomore outfielder
Hamilton Carr went 3-for-3 with a double and three RBIs and senior hurler
Matt Bowles pitched eight strong innings as the No. 8 University of Southern Indiana baseball team defeated Wayne State University, 6-2 in an elimination game of the NCAA II Midwest Region Tournament Saturday afternoon at the USI Baseball Field.
The Screaming Eagles (43-12) capitalized on back-to-back singles to lead off the top of third inning and open the scoring. Sophomore outfielder
Kyle Kempf, who threw out a runner at home plate to end the third inning, drove in the Eagles' first tally with a single to right field.
USI struck again in the fourth inning, this time for two runs, as Carr reached on a walk, stole second, and scored on a two-out triple by senior outfielder
Brad Wannemuehler. Wannemuehler later scored on a balk as the Eagles built a 3-0 lead.
Wayne State (36-17) answered in the bottom of the fourth inning with a two-out rally that led to the Warriors' first score—they added another in the ninth frame.
USI took advantage of a Wayne State error in the fifth inning that would have, in all probability, led to an inning-ending double play and held the Eagles off the scoreboard. Instead, USI loaded the bases for Carr, who hit a three-run double to left-centerfield to stake the Eagles to a commanding 6-1 edge.
Defensively, the Eagles got a strong outing from Bowles, who gave up just two runs off 12 hits in 8.1 innings of work. Bowles struck out one batter and allowed just one walk as he improved to 9-3 with the decision.
The Eagles take on Grand Valley State University Saturday night for the right to advance to Sunday's championship game. First pitch is slated for 7 p.m. at the USI Baseball Field.
