SPARTANGBURG, S.C.---The University of Southern Indiana softball team earned a tough-fought split in the first day of the Mid-South Classic. The Screaming Eagles (5-1) opened the classic with a 1-0 victory over Augusta University before falling to Wingate University, 9-6, in ten innings to close the day.
 
The Screaming Eagles began the day with a 1-0 triumph over Augusta University to open the Mid-South Classic with freshman Haylee Smith notching a complete game four-hit shutout in her first collegiate appearance in the circle.
 
The lone run in the contest came in the top of the first inning when junior first baseman Haley Hodges singled to left field and drove in junior shortstop Lexi Reese.
 
Despite scoring just one run, the Eagles' offense was on track, as USI recorded five hits, but stranded eight runners.
 
Smith earned the victory in the circle with a complete seven innings pitched, allowing just four hits, no runs, and striking out two.
 
In the second game of the day, the Eagles fell behind Wingate University early and had to make changes early on. After allowing two runs before recording the first out of the game, USI made a pitching change. The Eagles called on freshman Courtney Atkisson, who worked USI out of the first inning jam.
 
Down 2-0 in the bottom of the second, USI received a big lift on a three-run home run by sophomore Alex Logan that pushed the Eagles ahead 3-2. USI added a run in the third inning on a fielding error by the Wingate shortstop that scored Olivia Clark-Kittleson and gave the Eagles a 4-2 lead.
 
Wingate inched closer in the top of the fourth on a single up the middle that cut the lead to 4-3.
 
With one out and a runner on first in the top of the seventh, the Bulldogs got much needed help on a two-run home run that pushed Wingate ahead 5-4.USI would respond, though, with a groundout by sophomore Shelby Tate that scored fellow sophomore Olivia Clark-Kittleson and sent the contest to extra innings tied 5-5.
 
USI manufactured a golden opportunity, when the Eagles loaded the bases with just one out in the bottom of the eighth, but were unable to capitalize. Wingate responded quickly by adding a run in the top of the ninth.
 
As was true nearly the entire game, USI was able to respond with a run of its own, as Olivia Clark-Kittleson singled to score Janna Green to tie the game at 6-6 and continue the contest into a tenth inning.
 
Wingate would take control in the top of the tenth, scoring three runs to secure the 9-6 victory.
 
In the circle, Atkisson received the loss after pitching ten full innings in relief, allowing five earned runs on 16 hits and striking out four. Senior Sarah Owens was removed after 12 pitches, allowing two runs on four hits early in the first inning.
 
A pair of sophomores led USI offensively, as Alex Logan finished the evening 1-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs and Olivia Clark-Kittleson went 3-for-5, including a double and a triple, with two runs scored, and an RBI.
 
The Eagles face the 22^nd-ranked Nighthawks of the University of North Georgian on Saturday at 11 a.m. before taking on the University of North Carolina-Pembroke at 1 p.m.