EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana junior catcher Ryan Bertram (Zionsville, Indiana) capped off a 10-run second inning with a grand slam as the Screaming Eagles proceeded to get back on track with a 15-10 win over Oakland City University Wednesday evening at the USI Baseball Field. The Screaming Eagles saw their record rise to 17-19 overall, while the Mighty Oaks finish the evening 12-21.
 
USI struck first in the opening frame with a pair of runs to lead, 2-0, before OCU rallied with four runs in the top of the second take its only lead of the contest, 4-2. The Eagles exploded for 10-runs on six hits in the bottom of the second, sending 15 batters to the plate.
 
Four batters after junior rightfielder Kyle Kempf (Evansville, Indiana) put USI back into the lead, Bertram cleared the bases with a grand slam to put the Eagles up 12-4 and seal the victory. The home run, which hit off the top of center field fence near the 380-foot mark, was Bertram's first as an Eagle.
 
USI would go on to score two more in the fifth, posting its largest lead of the game, 14-5, and one more in the sixth for its 15 runs. OCU tried to rally in the ninth, scoring three times, before sophomore right-hander Lucas Barnett (Sellersburg, Indiana) closed the door on the Eagles' victory.
 
On the mound, freshman Scott Pedley (Owensboro, Kentucky) posted his second win of the year in relief. Pedley (2-1) went four innings, allowing three runs on seven hits and striking out five batters.   
 
The Eagles continue the homestand at the USI Baseball Field this weekend with a four-game GLVC series versus McKendree University April 24-26. The homestand concludes with a non-conference showdown April 28 against Kentucky Wesleyan College.