EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Southern Indiana baseball team allowed four runs in the seventh and fell to the fourth-ranked University of Tampa, 6-3, Saturday evening at the USI Baseball Field. USI watched its record go to 20-17 overall, while Tampa ends the game 32-6.  
 
The Screaming Eagles spotted the Spartans a 1-0 lead in the second before USI freshman shortstop Ethan Hunter (Terre Haute, Indiana) drove in senior third baseman Sam Griggs (Evansville, Indiana) with tying run in the bottom of the third. Tampa regained the lead in the top of the fourth only to see USI knot the game at 2-2 on a RBI ground out by senior leftfielder Drake McNamara (Mt. Vernon, Indiana), plating freshman centerfielder Bryce Krizan (Mt. Vernon, Indiana).
 
The Spartans took the lead for good with a four-run seventh to lead, 6-2. USI tied to rally in the bottom of the eighth, loading the bases with no-one out, but was only able to plate one runner when McNamara forced in a run after being hit by a pitch for the final tally in the 6-3 loss.
 
On the mound, senior right-hander Devin Williams (Evansville, Indiana) started and took the loss for the Eagles. Williams (3-4) allowed four runs on nine hits and struck out three in 6.1 innings of work.
 
Senior first baseman/pitcher Nick Gobert (Jasper, Indiana) followed Williams to the mound, going two-thirds of an inning and allowing two runs on four hits. The finals two frames went to senior right-hander Nick Coudret (Newburgh, Indiana), who allowed one hit, one walk, and struck out one in facing eight hitters.
 
The Eagles and the Spartans conclude the three-game series with an update first pitch of NOON Saturday at the USI Baseball Field. USI, following Sunday's action will be on the road for the next two games with visits to Kentucky Wesleyan College Tuesday for a 3 p.m. game and the University of Evansville Wednesday for a 6 p.m. start.