EVANSVILLE, Ind.—University of Southern Indiana Baseball racked up 24 hits as it rallied for a 12-6 Midwest Region victory over No. 20 Trevecca Nazarene University Friday afternoon in the first game of the USI Invitational at the USI Baseball Field.
 
The Screaming Eagles (4-3), who were just four hits shy of the single-game school record of 28 hits, scored 12 consecutive runs as they rallied from a 4-0 deficit to post their first win in the last three games.
 
After spotting the Trojans four runs in the top of the second inning, USI used three straight hits to open the fourth frame with a pair of runs. The Eagles had eight hits in the fourth inning and sent 12 batters to the plate as they scored seven times to take a 7-4 advantage.
 
USI added tallies in the fifth and seventh frames to extend its lead to 9-4; then erupted for three runs in the eighth inning to build a commanding eight-run advantage.
 
Senior catcher Ryan Bertram (Zionsville, Indiana) and senior third baseman Trent Gunn (Tell City, Indiana) each went 4-of-6 at the plate to lead the Eagles offensively. Both had two hits in the fourth inning, while Bertram was one of three Eagles with to record two RBIs.
 
Sophomore second baseman Sam Griggs (Evansville, Indiana) was 3-of-5 at the plate with a pair of RBIs, while senior outfielder Kyle Kempf (Evansville, Indiana) went 3-of-6 with a pair of RBIs.
 
Junior right-hander Lucas Barnett (Sellersburg, Indiana) settled down after a rough second inning to earn the victory.
 
Barnett (2-1) gave up four runs, three earned, off five hits in eight innings of work. He struck out five batters and did not issue a walk.
 
USI returns to action Saturday when it faces Midwest Region foe Wayne State University at 1 p.m. and Trevecca Nazarene at 4 p.m.