EAST PEORIA, Ill.—The University of Southern Indiana softball team earned its best start in the GLVC Softball Tournament since 1998 with a second round victory over the University of Missouri-St. Louis on Thursday at the EastSide Centre.
 
USI (35-17) once again had to make a late-inning comeback en route to victory, as the Screaming Eagles captured the win, 7-5, in eleven innings.
 
Sophomore Marleah Fossett pushed USI in front in the top of the seventh on a two-run home run to left center field that gave the Eagles a 5-4 advantage.
 
The Tritons would not go quietly, as UMSL tied the contest at 5-5 in the bottom half of the seventh on a sacrifice fly to right field.
 
In extra innings, the Eagles threatened in the top of the ninth, putting runners on second and third with just one out, but could not convert.
 
Finally in the eleventh inning, USI's home run parade continued, as junior Lexi Reese slammed a two-run home run over the fence in center field to push USI ahead 7-5.
 
In the bottom of the eleventh, senior pitcher Sarah Owens continued her strong performance in the circle by retiring the side and securing the Eagles' victory. Owen ended the contest by retiring 12 of the last 13 batters.
 
The Eagles were led in the game offensively by Reese, who finished 3-of-5 with three RBIs, a home run, two runs, and a walk. Junior Haley Hodges added another home run to her tally in a 2-for-4 performance with three runs, two RBIs, and a pair of walks, while bumping her average to .465.
 
Freshman Haylee Smith earned the start in the circle, but was removed after 3.1 innings, allowing four hits and three runs. In relief, Owens grabbed the victory with 7.2 innings in relief, allowing two runs on four hits, while striking out four.
 
USI takes on No. 2 University of Indianapolis in the semifinals of the GLVC Tournament Saturday at 1 p.m. The Greyhounds, who the Eagles split a doubleheader with in early April, defeated Truman State University, 2-0, in the second round of GLVC play Friday afternoon.