CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball lost a heartbreaker in the ninth inning, 2-1, to open a three-game set at the University of Illinois Friday evening to in Champaign, Illinois. USI, which snapped the Screaming Eagles four-game winning streak, is 8-9 in the non-conference season, while Illinois goes to 6-10.
 
USI struck first in the second frame when senior designated hitter Jack Ellis (Jeffersonville, Indiana) hit a solo shot over the right field wall. The home run was Ellis' first of the season.
 
The 1-0 lead would last until the bottom of the ninth when the Illini tied the score on a pass ball with two out after putting runners at the corners. USI would get to within one strike of getting to extra innings when Illinois scored the game-winner on a RBI-single up the middle.
 
USI junior right-hander Tyler Hutson (Villa Hills, Kentucky) took the loss in relief for the Eagles. Hutson (0-2) allowed two runs, one earned, on two hits and a walk in 1.0 inning of work.
 
On the mound, freshman right-hander Grant Parson (Owensboro, Kentucky) picked up the no-decision after throwing six-scoreless frame. Parson, who threw 106 pitches with 64 strikes, allowed three hits and three walks, while striking out five.
 
USI freshman Clayton Weisheit (Ferdinand, Indiana) relieved Parson, throwing 1.2 innings of scoreless baseball. He walked two and struck out one in his appearance.
  
Up Next for the Eagles:
 
USI and Illinois continue the three-game series Saturday with a 3 p.m. first pitch on Big10+. The Eagles and the Illini finish the series Sunday with 1 p.m. start in Champaign.
 
Following the USI-Illinois series, the Eagles finish their nine-game road swing with a visit to Western Kentucky University Tuesday in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The Hilltoppers start their weekend 12-6 overall and is visiting the Ohio Valley Conference's Southeast Missouri State University for a three-game series this weekend.