EVANSVILLE, Ind.---The University of Southern Indiana softball team ended it's conference weekend with a split against the University of Wisconsin-Parkside on Sunday afternoon at USI Softball Field. The Screaming Eagles fell 9-6 in the first game before grabbing a 4-3 victory in eight innings to close the day.
 
USI moves to 29-13 overall and 17-5 in the GLVC, while Wisconsin-Parkside shifts to 5-32-1 overall and 2-19-1 in the conference.

The Eagles opened the first game of the doubleheader in typical fashion, scoring six runs in he first three innings. USI got on the board first with a run in the top of the first on an RBI walk by junior Haley Hodges.
 
USI added four more runs in the second, beginning with sophomore Mena Fulton crossing the plate on a wild pitch. Freshman Caitlyn Bradley added another tally on a single through the right side that scored sophomore Shelby Tate. Sophomore Marleah Fossett increased the Eagles' lead to 3-0 with a sacrifice fly to center field that brought home Bradley. Hodges capped off the inning with another RBI, this one coming on a double to left field that scored senior Janna Green.
 
The Eagles scored another run in the third on an RBI single by Bradley that inflated the USI lead to 6-0.
 
Wisconsin-Parkside began to mount a comeback in the third inning, as the Rangers scored four runs in the frame to cut the Eagles' lead to 6-4.
 
In the fifth, the Rangers continued their offensive rally, scoring four runs in the inning and capturing an 8-6 lead. UWP would cap off their first game victory with a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth en route to a 9-6 win.
 
Leading USI was Haley Hodges with a two-for-three performance at the plate, driving in two runs. Freshman Caitlyn Bradley continued her impressive April with a three-for-four contest, scoring two runs and driving in two more.
 
Freshman Haylee Smith started the game in the circle, pitching 2.1 innings and giving up four runs on seven hits before being pulled. The aforementioned Bradley came in to pitch and eventually received the loss after pitching 2.1 innings, giving up four runs on five hits. Freshman Courtney Atkisson came in to wrap up the contest, working the final inning and a third, giving up a run on one hit.

In the second game, USI started much like they did in the first contest, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning.
 
The Eagles opened the scoring with an RBI single by Haley Hodges that scored Caitlyn Bradley followed by an RBI double by junior Lexi Reese that scored Hodges.
 
USI increased its lead to 3-0 on a solo shot to right center field by freshman Claire Johnson, her first collegiate home run.

In the seventh, the Rangers looked to chip away at the USI advantage and send the contest to extra innings. UWP scored its first run on an RBI single that cut the advantage to 3-1 with just one out. With the bases loaded, Rangers' freshman outfielder Kellie Fenza smacked a double to the gap that brought two runners home. UWP nearly earned the walk-off victory on Fenza's double, but Eagles' junior outfielder Grace Clark held the runner at third with a backhanded stop of the ball before it went to the fence.
 
Senior pitcher Sarah Owens ended the inning on the next at-bat to send the contest into extra innings.
 
After helping to save the game for the Eagles, Clark stepped to the plate with Hodges at second and delivered what would be the game winning run on an RBI double that scooted down the left field line.
 
In the bottom of the eighth, Owens induced two pop ups and finished off the game with a strike out.
 
In game two, the Eagles were led by Hodges and Bradley again. Hodges finished the second contest two-for-four with two runs and an RBI, while Bradley scored a run in a one-for-four performance. Lexi Reese added two hits and an RBI in a two-for-four game.
 
Sarah Owens earned her 12^th victory in the circle this season, pitching a complete game eight innings, allowing five hits and no earned runs, while striking out nine.
 
USI returns to action Saturday and Sunday on the road. The Eagles open the weekend with a doubleheader in Kirksville, Missouri on Saturday against Truman State University before heading to Quincy, Illinois for a doubleheader with Quincy University on Sunday.