SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The University of Southern Indiana baseball team scored six times in the fourth inning and posted a 7-1 victory over the University of Illinois Springfield Friday afternoon in Springfield, Illinois. The Screaming Eagles saw their record rise to 23-19 overall and 18-15 in the GLVC, while the Prairie Stars finished the day 22-25, 16-17 GLVC.
 
After both team scored in the first inning, the Eagles sent 10 batters to the plate in the fourth, scoring six times on six hits, to break the 1-1 tie and post a 7-1 margin. The six-run rally was capped off by a two-run double by freshman designated hitter Drake McNamara (Mt. Vernon, Indiana).
 
Overall, junior rightfielder Kyle Kempf (Evansville, Indiana) led the USI offensive attack with four hits, while junior centerfielder Hamilton Carr (Evansville, Indiana) and junior third baseman Trent Gunn (Tell City, Indiana) added three hits each. McNamara had a pair of hits and team-best three RBIs.
 
USI senior right-hander Ben Wright (Newburgh, Indiana) took the Eagles' 7-1 lead and cruised to his fourth victory and fourth complete game of the year. Wright (4-5), who also posted his first road win of the year with today's victory, allowed an unearned run on four hits and two walks. He also struck out three batters in the nine innings of work.
 
With the win, the Eagles have a tighter grasp of second in the GLVC East Division. USI ends the day a game-and-a-half ahead of Bellarmine University, which visits McKendree University for a four-game series, starting Saturday; and a full two games ahead of Illinois Springfield. The top three teams from the GLVC East and West Divisions, plus two wild cards, will qualify for the GLVC Tournament in Westfield, Indiana, May 7-10.
 
The Eagles and the Prairie Stars continue their four-game series Saturday with a noon doubleheader. The series and the regular season for both team concludes Sunday with a noon single game.