EVANSVILLE, Ind.---On the final day of the regular season, the University of Southern Indiana softball team dropped a pair of contests to the sixth-ranked University of Missouri-St. Louis at USI Softball Field. The Screaming Eagles fell in the first contest 8-4 before dropping the second game to the Tritons, 7-1.

USI drops to 33-17 overall and 21-8 in the GLVC, while UMSL jumps to 36-10 overall and 20-7 in the conference.

The Eagles opened the first game trying to fight back from an early deficit. The Tritons scored two runs in the second inning and four in the third to take a 6-0 lead early in the contest.
 
Sophomore Marleah Fossett powered the Eagles to cut into the UMSL advantage. With the bases loaded, Fossett smashed a grand slam home run to right center field to narrow the Tritons' lead to 6-4.
 
UMSL increased their lead again in the top of the sixth inning on a two-run single that moved the Tritons ahead 8-4.
 
USI tried to capitalize on opportunities in the bottom of the sixth and seventh, but could not find the breakthrough.

Leading USI was Fossett, who finished game one with a 3-4 outing with four RBIs and a home run. Junior Haley Hodges and seniors Toni Braun and Janna Green all recorded hits for the Eagles.

Freshman Courtney Atkisson was credited with the loss and pitched just 2.1 innings, giving up five runs on six hits before being pulled. Fellow freshman Haylee Smith came on in relief and pitched the final 4.2 innings, allowing three runs on five hits and striking out three.

In the second game, USI struck first in the second inning.
 
The Eagles opened the scoring with an RBI single by Toni Braun with the bases loaded that pushed USI ahead 1-0. USI was unable to capitalize on the bases loaded situation any further in the bottom of the second inning.
 
USI had an opportunity to increase their lead in the bottom of the third, as Fossett led off the inning with a double. Sophomore Mena Fulton moved Fossett over to third, but the Eagles were retired in order after that, stranding Fosset 60 feet from home.
 
In the top of the fifth, UMSL took advantage of an opportunity. The Tritons loaded the bases and took a 4-1 lead on a two-out grand slam that cleared the left field wall.
 
UMSL increased their lead in the sixth with a three-run double to the wall in right center to push the Tritons ahead 7-1.
 
USI was led by Toni Braun, as the senior finished the second game 2-3 with an RBI in what was most likely her last appearance at USI Softball Field. Hodges, Fossett, Green, and freshman Claire Johnson all recorded hits in the loss.

Senior Sarah Owens earned the start and pitched 5.1 innings, allowing seven runs on seven hits and striking out four. Owens pitched a near flawless first 4.2 innings before running into trouble in the fifth. Freshman Caitlyn Bradley came on in relief and pitched 1.2 innings without allowing a hit and striking out one.
 
It is postseason time for the Eagles, as USI next heads north to East Peoria, Illinois and the Eastside Centre for the 2016 Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament beginning on Friday. The bracket for the 2016 GLVC Softball Tournament and matchup information will be released later this evening and will be available on GoUSIEagles.com and on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook at the username @USIAthletics.