EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Southern Indiana baseball team could not overcome a six-run sixth by the University of Missouri-St. Louis and stumbled, 7-4, Friday afternoon in St. Louis, Missouri. USI falls to 3-8 overall and 0-5 in the GLVC, while UMSL sees its record go to 10-0 overall, 5-0 GLVC.
 
The Screaming Eagles jumped out in front, 2-0, in the fourth inning. Junior second baseman Kyle Niemeier (Evansville, Indiana) gave USI the lead with a two-run triple to right field. The RBIs were the first of the year for Niemeier.
 
The 2-0 lead would stand up until the sixth inning when the Tritons touched USI senior starting pitcher Ben Wright (Newburgh, Indiana) and junior right-handed reliever T.J. Decker (Brazil, Indiana) for six runs on six hits. UMSL would go on to add another tally in the seventh to lead 7-2.
 
USI would try to rally in the top of the ninth, scoring twice and bringing the tying run to the plate three times. Senior shortstop Matt Chavarria (Carlsbad, New Mexico) started USI's ninth inning rally by doubling to lead off the frame and moved to third on a single by junior third baseman Trent Gunn (Tell City, Indiana).
 
Chavarria would score on a single by senior centerfielder Tyler Mikrut (Edwardsville, Illinois) to cut the deficit to 7-3. Gunn and Mikrut would move into scoring position on a single by junior pinch hitter Jaylen Quarles (Indianapolis, Indiana) and load the bases with no one out.
 
After junior designated hitter Hamilton Carr (Evansville, Indiana) fouled out, Gunn trotted home with USI's fourth tally of the game on a sacrifice fly by senior catcher Austin Edge (Whitesville, Kentucky) to cut the margin to 7-4. The three run deficit would be as close as the Eagles would come in the contest.
 
Wright (0-3) continued to look for his first win of the year on the mound. He allowed five runs on seven hits, while striking out a season-high seven batters in 5.1 frames of work. Decker followed Wright to the mound, giving up one run on two hits.
 
Senior right-hander Scott Haag (Ft. Wayne, Indiana) finished the game on the mound, conceding a run on one hit in two innings of work.
 
The Eagles and the Tritons continue the four-game series Saturday with a noon doubleheader. The four-game series concludes Sunday with a noon single-game first pitch.