KIRKSVILLE, Mo.---The University of Southern Indiana softball team opened a conference weekend full of postseason implications with a split of Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri on Saturday. The Screaming Eagles fell 1-0 in a pitcher's duel in the first game before grabbing an 8-3 victory to close the day.
 
USI moves to 30-14 overall and 18-6 in the GLVC, while Truman State shifts to 26-12 overall and 18-6 in the conference.

The Eagles opened the first game struggling to find their offense. USI recorded just two hits in the 1-0 loss.
 
USI recorded its first hit on a single by freshman Caitlyn Bradley in the top of the third inning, but the Eagles could not capitalize.
 
Truman State jumped in front in the bottom of the third as the Eagles were able to catch a Bulldog runner stealing, but another Truman State runner scored on the play.
 
The Eagles looked to mount a comeback in the top of the seventh, as Bradley recorded a two-out double to left center field.  The next batter, senior Janna Green, was hit by a pitch for the second time in the contest to put the winning run on first. With two on, USI was not able to take advantage with a fly-out in the next at-bat to end the game.
 
Leading USI was Bradley, who finished game one with a two-for-three outing with a walk. Junior Haley Hodges did not record an at-bat in the contest, as the Eagles' biggest offensive threat was walked three times.
 
Senior Sarah Owens pitched a complete six innings, giving up just two hits and one run, while striking out five in a near flawless outing.

In the second game, USI started the contest as they had much of the season.
 
The Eagles opened the scoring with an RBI single by junior Lexi Reese in the first inning that scored Janna Green to take a 1-0 lead.
 
USI added a run on a double by Lexi Reese in the third that scored sophomore Marleah Fossett. Sophomore Mena Fulton joined the party with a two RBI double that scored Haley Hodges and Reese to take a 4-0 lead.
 
Truman State stormed back in the bottom of the third inning, scoring three runs and forcing an Eagles' pitching change.
 
Fulton struck again in the fifth with a two-run single that scored Reese and Hodges to put USI up 6-3.
 
The Eagles secured their advantage in the seventh tallying two more runs on a two RBI double by Caitlyn Bradley.
 
USI was led by Fulton in the second contest, who finished two-for-four with four RBIs. Lexi Reese continued her standout season with a three-for-four game with two RBIs.
 
In her pursuit of a bevy of Eagles' single-season records, Haley Hodges went 0-for-1 with a run scored and three walks.
 
Freshman pitcher Haylee Smith started the contest for the Eagles' in the circle, lasting 2.1 innings, giving up three runs on three hits before being replaced by freshman Caitlyn Bradley. Bradley pitched the final 4.2 innings, allowing just three hits and no runs.
 
USI returns to action Sunday as the Eagles wrap up their western road-trip with a doubleheader against Quincy University in Quincy, Illinois at noon and 2 p.m.