EVANSVILLE, Ind.--- The University of Southern Indiana softball team combined for a total 27 hits and 23 runs as the Screaming Eagles earned a GLVC doubleheader sweep Saturday afternoon at the USI Softball Field, defeating West Division opponent Missouri University of Science and Technology 11-1 in five innings and 12-6.
 
The Screaming Eagles improve to 16-8 overall, 4-0 in conference action, while the Miners fall to 4-15 overall, 0-4 in the GLVC.
 
The top of the Eagles' lineup set the tone in game one, as the top four hitters for USI went a combined seven-for-13, while driving in five runs.
 
Missouri S&T struck first in the top of the first on an RBI double to right center. From that point on, USI controlled the contest offensively and defensively.
 
USI began the romp with a three run bottom of the first inning, highlighted by a pair of RBI singles by junior Haley Hodges and freshman Lindsey Barr. The Eagles would mirror the first inning in both the second and third frames, as USI struck for three more runs in both.
 
Holding a 9-1 advantage, USI tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the fourth as junior Grace Clark and sophomore Olivia Clark-Kittleson each drove in a run on RBI singles. The Eagles were able to hold the Miners scoreless in the top of the fifth to earn the 11-1 victory via run rule.
 
In game one, the Eagles were led by senior Janna Green, who finished the contest two-for-three, driving in one run, and scoring two. Hodges contributed, as usual, with a two-for-three performance, adding two RBIs and a run of her own. Junior Grace Clark powered the Eagles bottom half of the order with a two-for-three day, with a team-high three RBIs.
 
In the circle, senior Sarah Owens earned the victory, going three innings, allowing three hits and one earned run. Freshman Courtney Atkisson came on in relief with the Eagles well in front, pitching two innings and allowing three hits and no runs.
 
The Eagles opened game two of the doubleheader in similar fashion, as USI tallied four runs in the bottom of the first to jump out to an early 4-0 lead. In the first, junior Lexi Reese delivered once again with a two-run double to left field, while senior Toni Braun blooped a single into shall left field to score two more.
 
USI looked to put the game away early in the second inning. The Eagles drove home a run on an RBI walk by Lexi Reese and Grace Clark powered home two more on a double up the middle to push USI in front 7-0 after just two frames.
 
In the top of the fifth, the Miners offense exploded for six runs, cutting the USI advantage to just a single run.
 
USI though would have an answer to Missouri S&T's comeback, as the Eagles scored four runs in the bottom of the fifth and another run in the bottom of the sixth en route to the 12-6 victory.
 
In the second contest, the Eagles were led by sophomore Marleah Fossett, who finished a perfect four-for-four, bringing in two runs and scoring three runs. Senior Janna Green continued her tear, going three-for-four and scoring three runs.
 
Freshman Haylee Smith earned the victory, her fifth of the season, pitching 4.1 innings, allowing six runs on six hits and striking out three. Fellow freshman Caitlyn Bradley came on in relief and earned the save, pitching the final inning and two-thirds, giving up just one hit.
 
USI continues conference play on the road next weekend when the Eagles travel to Missouri to take on Rockhurst University on Saturday and William Jewell College on Sunday.