CARY, N.C. – University of Southern Indiana baseball team lost a heartbreaker in 10 innings to Cal Poly Pomona, 2-1, on the first day of the NCAA Division II Baseball Championship Saturday afternoon in Cary, North Carolina. USI, the NCAA II Midwest Regional representative, sees its record go to 37-20 overall, while Cal Poly Pomona sees its record go to 41-17.
 
The Screaming Eagles move into the loser's bracket and is slated to play Angelo State University Monday at 3 p.m. in an elimination game. Angelo State is 39-21 overall after falling to Millersville University, 1-0, in the first game of the championship series.
 
After both teams battled seven scoreless innings, the Eagles struck first with a run in the top of the eighth. Sophomore second baseman Sam Griggs (Evansville, Indiana) drove in senior shortstop Kyle Niemeier (Evansville, Indiana) with an RBI-single through the left side. Niemeier had walked, stole second, and advanced to third on a fly out by senior rightfielder Kyle Kempf (Evansville, Indiana).
 
The Eagles would miss a final golden opportunity in the top of the eighth they stranded Griggs and senior catcher Ryan Bertram (Zionsville, Indiana) at second and third, respectively. Bertram had doubled down the left field line to put Eagles in scoring position after Griggs' run-scoring single.
 
Cal Poly Pomona rallied to tie the game, 1-1, in the ninth inning off of USI junior right-handed starter Colin Nowak (Carol Stream, Illinois) and senior right-handed closer T.J. Decker (Brazil, Indiana). Decker (2-1) suffered the blown save after surrendering the tying run on two hits in the ninth and an earned run on two hits and an intentional walk in the 10^th.
 
The loss was Decker's first out of the bullpen this season after converting 10 saves, including all four in the NCAA II Midwest Regional.
 
Nowak earned a tough luck no decision after pitching a masterful game through eight-plus innings. He allowed one run on eight hits and two walks, while striking out two.