TAMPA, Fla. – The number-one ranked University of Southern Indiana baseball team is still looking for its first win of 2015 after dropping a 5-2 decision to second-ranked University of Tampa Saturday night in Tampa, Florida. USI falls to 0-2, while Tampa remains perfect in 2015 at 8-0.
 
The two teams conclude the series Sunday at 10 a.m. (CST) when the Screaming Eagles and the Spartans meet for game three. Game coverage can be found on GoUSIEagles.com.
 
The Eagles spotted the Spartans a 1-0 lead for the second night in a row in the first inning, but bounced back to tie the game, 1-1, in the top of the second on a solo home run by senior leftfielder Tyler Mikrut (Edwardsville, Illinois). The home run was the first of the year for USI and Mikrut's first as an Eagle.
 
The Spartans responded with a tally in the bottom of the second to take the lead for good in the contest. Tampa would go on to seal the victory with a run in the fifth and a pair of tallies in the sixth.
 
USI would try to get back into the game with a tally in the seventh inning. Senior shortstop Matt Chavarria (Carlsbad, New Mexico) doubled to down the right field line and scored on an RBI-single by freshman designated hitter Drake McNamara (Mt. Vernon, Indiana). The single and the RBI were the first of McNamara's career at USI.
 
Junior right-handed hurler Tyler Nichols (Newburgh, Indiana) took the loss for the Eagles. Nichols (0-1) allowed five runs, two earned, on 10 hits in 5.1 innings of work. He also struck out four batters and walked one.
 
Nichols was followed to the mound by junior right-hander T.J. Decker (Brazil, Indiana). Decker worked a scoreless 2.2 innings, allowing two hits and a walk, while striking out two.
 
Following Sunday series finale in Tampa, the Eagles return to the friendly surroundings of the USI Baseball Field February 20-22 when they host Grand Valley State University for a three-game series.