EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Southern Indiana baseball team extended its season-high winning streak to seven with a doubleheader sweep of  McKendree University, 5-0 and 11-3, Friday afternoon at the USI Baseball Field. USI watched its record go to 19-14 overall and 11-3 in the GLVC, while McKendree goes to 11-23, 1-13 GLVC.
 
The victories also put USI into sole possession of first place in the GLVC East Division by a full game over second place University of Illinois Springfield (10-4 GLVC).
 
The Screaming Eagles took the opening game, 5-0, behind the dominating performance of senior right-hander Lucas Barnett (Sellersburg, Indiana). Barnett (5-0) won his team-best fifth game of the season by scattering four hits and a walk, while striking out two in throwing this second complete game and first shutout of the year.
 
USI's bats pounded out 11 hits in scoring once in the second, fifth, and sixth before sealing the win with a pair of tallies in the seventh. The Eagles were led at the plate by sophomore catcher Logan Brown (Mt. Vernon, Indiana), who was three-for-four performance and an RBI, and junior third baseman Sam Griggs (Evansville, Indiana), who was two-for-five with a run scored, an RBI and a double.
 
In the night cap, USI scored five in the third and four in the sixth to cruise to an 11-3 victory. The Eagles also added a pair of runs in the fifth for all of the offense in the second game.
 
Brown continued to feast on McKendree pitching in the nightcap, posting his second-straight three-for-four game. The sophomore catcher scored twice and highlighted the five-run third with a three-run triple to left field.
 
Sophomore second baseman Jacob Fleming (Evansville, Indiana) and junior leftfielder Drake McNamara (Mt. Vernon, Indiana) followed Brown with two RBIs each. Fleming also had two hits, a double, and a run scored, while McNamara added two hits and a run scored.
 
USI junior right-hander Kyle Griffin (Morganfield, Kentucky) posted his fourth win of the season and his third-straight victory. Griffin (4-3), who was named the NCBWA Midwest Region Pitcher of the Week earlier in the day, allowed three runs, two earned, on seven hits and a walk, while striking out six in six innings of work.
 
The Eagles and the Bearcats conclude the four-game series Saturday at noon. Saturday also is West Side Nut Club Day at the USI Baseball Field. For live coverage of USI Baseball, visit GoUSIEagles.com.