CLEARWATER, Fla.--- University of Southern Indiana softball head coach Sue Kunkle earned her 400^th career win as the USI softball team opened the first day of The Spring Games with a 11-0 rout of Seton Hill University, before rallying to defeat Lock Haven University 10-8.
 
Kunkle becomes the first coach in any sport at USI to reach the 400 win plateau while coaching the Screaming Eagles.
 
USI improves to 9-3 on the season and continues double-header action Saturday taking on 15^th-ranked California University-Pennsylvania at 4 p.m. (CDT) followed by the 22^nd-ranked Golden Rams of West Chester University at 6 p.m. (CDT).
 
In the first game offensive showcase, junior Lexi Reese opened the scoring with a first inning double that scored junior catcher Haley Hodges and gave the Eagles a 1-0 lead.
 
The Eagles exploded for six runs in the top of the third inning, as freshmen Lindsey Barr and Caitlyn Bradley each doubled in two runs in USI's big inning.
 
USI would add two more runs in the fourth and fifth innings on home runs by Hodges and sophomore Marleah Fossett. Fossett's homer was the first of her collegiate career.
 
In the Screaming Eagles 11-0 victory in five innings, senior pitcher Sarah Owens pitched a gem, allowing just two hits in a five inning complete game shutout, while striking out five.
 
At the plate, Hodges went 3-for-3 with two RBIs, a home run, and two runs scored. Reese, Barr, and freshman Claire Johnson went 2-for-3 with a combined five RBIs.
 
In game two, the Eagles took a 2-1 advantage after the first inning on a pair of RBI singles by Hodges and Reese.
 
Lock Haven responded with a four run top of the third inning to retake a 5-2 lead over USI.
 
In the fourth inning, USI came back with a fury, scoring eight runs and jumping out to a 10-5 lead. The big inning featured three RBI singles by Clark-Kittleson, Bradley, and Barr, a two-run double by Reese, and a two-run home run by junior Grace Clark.
 
The Bald Eagles added a single tally in the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings, but could not mount a large enough comeback to steal the victory.
 
In the circle for USI, freshman Caitlyn Bradley received the start and worked 2.1 innings and allowing three runs on three hits. Freshman Haylee Smith came on in relief, allowing two hits, but did not record and out. Fellow freshman Courtney Atkisson came on in relief for Smith and earned the victory, pitching three innings and giving up four hits. Senior Sarah Owens stepped in the circle for 1.2 innings and received the save, allowing one run and one hit.