SPARTANGBURG, S.C.---The University of Southern Indiana softball team earned a split for the second straight day at the Mid-South Classic at Tyger River Park in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The Screaming Eagles (6-2) began the day with a 6-0 loss to the 22^nd-ranked Nighthawks of the University of North Georgia before wrapping-up the afternoon with a 5-4 victory over the University of North Carolina-Pembroke.
 
In the first contest of the day, the Eagles fell behind early and could not fight back in a 6-0 loss to North Georgia. The defending national champion Nighthawks plated a run in the first inning and increased their margin with a five run bottom of the third inning.
 
Freshman Courtney Atkisson started and threw 2.1 innings, allowing two hits and three earned runs, while walking four. Senior Sarah Owens pitched 3.2 innings in relief, giving up two runs, both unearned, on five hits and striking out four.
 
The Eagles recorded three hits in the contest, as junior Grace Clark went two-for-three and and sophomore Olivia Clark-Kittleson went one-for-three.
 
North Georgia senior pitcher Courtney Poole, last season's NFCA National Player of the Year, pitched seven scoreless innings, allowing just three hits and striking out 10 in the Nighthawks' 6-0 victory.
 
In the second game of the day, the Eagles got on the board early with two runs in the top of the first on a two RBI single by junior Haley Hodges. UNC-Pembroke responded by tacking on a tally of their own in the bottom half of the first on a solo home run.
 
USI would add a four run cushion in the top of the third inning on an RBI single by freshman Caitlyn Bradley and a two-run home run by Haley Hodges, her third of the season.
 
The Braves would not go quietly, scoring three runs in the bottom of the fifth on a two-run double and an RBI single.
 
The Eagles brought on freshman pitcher Haylee Smith in relief in the fourth inning. Smith pitched the final 2.1 innings, picking up the save and while not allowing a hit and striking out two.
 
Eagles starting pitcher Caitlyn Bradley earned her second win of the season, pitching 4.2 innings, giving up four earned runs on nine hits and striking out three.
 
The Eagles challenge 19^th-ranked Lenoir-Rhyne University at 9 am and Lincoln Memorial University at 11 am to finish up the Mid-South Classic in Spartanburg, South Carolina.