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Jonathon Wandling
David Arthur, USI Photography
Senior Jonathon Wandling was 2-for-4 with three runs scored an two RBIs in USI's 11-4 win over Illinois Springfield.

Baseball Dan McDonnell, USI Sports Information

Late surge propels Eagles past UIS in GLVC Tourney-opener



#8 Southern Indiana (40-9): 11
Illinois Springfield (28-23): 4
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EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The No. 8 University of Southern Indiana baseball team scored seven unanswered runs to defeat the University of Illinois Springfield, 11-4, in the opening round of the Great Lakes Valley Conference Championship Tournament Thursday afternoon at Bosse Field.

USI (40-9), which saw a 4-0 lead evaporate in the top of the seventh frame, scored five times in the bottom of the seventh to answer the Prairie Stars' charge.

After loading the bases with one out, senior outfielder Brent Weinzapfel hit an RBI-single to put the Screaming Eagles back in front, 5-4. Senior utility player Jonathon Wandling, who was 2-for-4 with three runs scored and two RBIs, followed with a two-run single as USI increased its lead to 7-4.

USI, which had compiled just two hits prior to the seventh frame, continued its onslaught as sophomore catcher Ryan Bertram hit an RBI double that came within a few feet of clearing the leftfield fence. The Eagles, who had five hits in the seventh, tacked on another run on a wild pitch to come out of the inning with a 9-4 advantage.

Sophomore outfielder Kyle Kempf added to the Eagles' lead in the eighth inning with an RBI-double. He later scored on a sacrifice fly by junior shortstop Matt Chavarria.

Early in the game, the Eagles used small ball to capitalize on Illinois Springfield's defensive miscues. The Eagles followed an error and a walk with a sacrifice bunt and a sacrifice fly, the later coming off the bat of senior outfielder Brad Wannemuehler, to post the game's first tally in the second inning.

Wannemuehler's bunt in the fourth inning led to a three-base error that pushed two more runs across the plate to give USI a 3-0 cushion. Wannemuehler scored on an RBI-ground out by senior infielder Caleb Eickhoff in the next at-bat as USI built a 4-0 advantage.

Illinois Springfield (28-23), however, used a six-hit seventh inning to plate four runners and tie the contest at 4-4.

Junior hurler Andrew Mercer earned the victory after allowing just one base runner in 2.1 innings of work. Mercer (3-1) spelled junior Ben Wright, who had given up just three hits in six innings prior to surrendering four runs off six hits in the seventh.

USI continues the GLVC Tournament Friday at 11 a.m. when it takes on Quincy University in the second round at Bosse Field. The Hawks (27-24) defeated Missouri-St. Louis, 2-0, Thursday to advance in the winner's bracket.
 
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