EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball allowed seven runs in the seventh and fell to Ball State University, 10-4, Tuesday afternoon at the USI Baseball Field. USI is 2-6 to start the season, while Ball State goes 5-3.
 
USI jumped out in front, 2-0, by manufacturing a pair of runs in the bottom of the second. Junior centerfielder Terrick Thompson-Allen (Sioux City, Iowa) was forced in on a walk by junior second baseman Lane Crowden (Jackson, Missouri) for the first tally before junior shortstop Ricardo Van Grieken (Venezuela) crossed the plate with USI's second run after freshman rightfielder Ethan Rothschild (Evansville, Indiana) reached on an error.
 
After Ball State picked up a tally in the top of the third, USI posted its second-straight two-run frame in the bottom of the third. Thompson-Allen lined a two-run tripled down the left field line to get the scoring going in third, plating freshman leftfielder Cameron Boyd (Villa Hills, Kentucky) and senior designated hitter Tucker Ebest (Austin, Texas) for a 4-0 lead.
 
Ball State chipped away at the USI lead with a tally in the fourth and the sixth to close to within one, 4-3, before exploding for seven runs to grab an 10-4 advantage. The Cardinals would cruise through the final two innings to grab the 10-4 decision.
 
In the game at the plate for USI, Thompson-Allen led the Eagles by going two-for-five with a triple and two RBI. Ebest also was two-for-five with a run scored and a double.
 
USI junior right-hander Gage Smith (Garrett, Indiana) took loss in relief as the Eagles used 10 hurlers in the game. Smith (0-1) allowed three runs on three hits in a third of an inning in the seventh.
 
Up Next for the Eagles:
The Screaming Eagles continue the homestand Friday when they start a three-game set with the University of St. Thomas (Minnesota). The first series all-time between USI and St. Thomas starts Friday at 4 p.m.; continues Saturday at 2 p.m.; and concludes Sunday at 1 p.m.
 
The Tommies are 4-4 to start the spring after taking three of four from Southeast Missouri State University over the weekend.  
 
Following the three-game set with St. Thomas, USI will be on the road for the next nine games. The Eagles will visit the University of Tennessee (March 6), Bellarmine University (March 8-10); Middle Tennessee State University (March 12); the University of Illinois (March 15-17); and Western Kentucky University (March 19).