EVANSVILLE, Ind.----Behind a record-setting day from junior Haley Hodges, the University of Southern Indiana softball team stretched its winning streak to five with a doubleheader sweep of Lewis University on Saturday. The Screaming Eagles stormed to a 10-1 rout in five innings in the opening contest, before grabbing the sweep with a 7-6 victory in game two.
 
USI rises to 28-12 overall and 16-4 in the GLVC, while Lewis falls to 15-23-1 overall and 4-15-1 in the conference.
 
In game one, USI opened the contest with an offensive outburst. The Eagles struck first in the top of the first inning on a two-run double by sophomore Marleah Fossett. The Eagles scored a third run on a fielding error by the Flyers that scored Fossett.
 
USI struck for a fourth run on another Lewis error that brought in Haley Hodges. The Eagles ended the first inning scoring bonanza on a three-run double to left center by freshman Caitlyn Bradley that pushed the USI lead to 7-0.
 
USI would score again the top of the second inning, as Hodges smashed a solo home run to left field to increase the Eagles' advantage to 8-0.
 
Hodges was not done contributing, as the Portage, Indiana native tied the USI single-season home run record with her 16^th of the season on a two-run shot to right field.
 
Lewis recorded a run in the bottom of the fourth to avoid the shutout, but the Eagles secured the 10-1 run-rule victory by holding the Flyers scoreless in the fifth.
 
Leading USI was Haley Hodges, who finished two-for-three with two home runs and three RBIs. Senior Janna Green contributed to the effort with a two-for-three outing, scoring two runs. Freshman Caitlyn Bradley helped power the Eagles with a two-for-four game with three RBIs.

Freshman pitcher Haylee Smith earned her tenth win in the circle, allowing just five hits, no runs, and striking out one in three innings. Fellow freshman Caitlyn Bradley came on in relief, pitching two innings, allowing two hits, an earned run, and striking out two.
 
In the second contest, USI opened up an early lead. The Eagles tallied their first run in the top of the first inning on a single by junior Lexi Reese that scored Caitlyn Bradley.
 
USI struck for another run in the second inning, as Bradley singled to centerfield, scoring sophomore Mena Fulton.
 
With a 2-0 USI lead, Lewis took advantage of an opportunity. With the bases loaded, Lewis sophomore Kaylee Prieto hit a grand slam down the left line to push the Flyers in front 4-2.
 
The Eagles responded in the top of the fifth with a pair of runs to knot the contest at 4-4. Junior Grace Clark opened the scoring in the fifth frame with a sacrifice fly that scored pinch-runner Alisha Ludwig. Mena Fulton drove in the second run of the inning on a single to left field that brought home Haley Hodges.
 
In the sixth inning, USI increased its lead on an RBI single by senior Janna Green that scored freshman Lindsey Barr. With a 5-4 advantage, Haley Hodges drove a double to center field that scored a pair of runs and gave the junior her 54^th and 55^th RBIs of the season. The 55 RBIs are a new single-season record at USI surpassing the previous record of 54, amassed by Sara Loete in 2008.
Trailing 7-4, Lewis mounted a comeback in the bottom of the seventh. The Flyers scored a run on a double to left center by Prieto. Prieto then scored on a throwing error to cut the Eagles' lead to 7-6. USI was able to shutdown the Flyers, as pitcher Haylee Smith struck out the final two batters to end the contest.
 
Hodges led the Eagles, once again, going one-for-one, with a run, two RBIs, and three walks in game two. Caitlyn Bradley finished the second contest two-for-three with a run and an RBI to help USI to their fifth-straight win.
 
Senior Sarah Owens earned the victory in the circle, allowing four runs on five hits, while striking out five in six innings of work. Freshman Haylee Smith came on in the seventh and escaped with her second save of the season.
 
USI returns to action on Sunday, when the Eagles host the University of Wisconsin-Parkside for a doubleheader at noon and 2 p.m. at USI Softball Field.