ST. CHARLES, Mo. – University of Southern Indiana Softball secured a 3-2 series-opening win in nine innings at Lindenwood University on Saturday after the host Lions rallied in the seventh inning to force extra innings.
 
Southern Indiana (11-11, 5-2 OVC) moved back to .500 on the season with Saturday's win, which was USI's second nine-inning game in the last three contests and third extra-inning game this season for the Screaming Eagles. Plus, the victory extended USI's winning streak to five games. Lindenwood (13-15, 2-5 OVC) suffered its fourth consecutive loss in Ohio Valley Conference play.
 
After a two-inning stalemate to start the game, both sides made their way onto the scoreboard in the third inning. In the top half of the third, USI freshman Kate Satkoski (Lanesville, Indiana) belted her first home run of the season on a solo shot. Lindenwood responded with a solo homer in the bottom of the third to even the game at 1-1.
 
In the top of the fifth inning, Satkoski barreled up her second extra-base hit of the game with a double. One batter later, junior outfielder Kennedy Nalley (Huntingburg, Indiana) brought Satkoski home on an RBI single to put the Screaming Eagles back ahead by one.
 
With Southern Indiana an out away from the win in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Lions tied the game with another solo home run to send the game to extra innings.
 
Following a scoreless eighth, the Screaming Eagles got their opportunity in the ninth. With a runner at first and two outs, senior first baseman Lexi Fair (Greenfield, Indiana) delivered a go-ahead triple that scored sophomore outfielder Caroline Stapleton (Shirley, Indiana) all the way from first base to push USI ahead, 3-2. Southern Indiana held Lindenwood off the scoreboard in the bottom of the ninth to seal the series-opening victory.
 
USI tallied three runs on 10 hits. Three Screaming Eagles registered multi-hit games, combining for seven of the 10 hits. Satkoski went 3-3 with a home run, a double, and two runs. Nalley and junior infielder Hailey Gotshall (Lucerne, Indiana) had two hits each.
 
Southern Indiana starting pitcher Josie Newman (Indianapolis, Indiana) pitched all nine frames, allowing two runs on five hits with 11 strikeouts. Newman improved to 9-5 with the win.
 
Lindenwood sophomore pitcher Avery Wapp started the first five innings, giving up two runs. Graduate pitcher Amanda Weyh tossed the last four innings, surrendering the go-ahead run in the ninth. Weyh dropped to 8-7 this season.
 
The series finishes with a Noon doubleheader Sunday at Lou Brock Sports Complex. Both games can be heard on 95.7 The Spin.
 
Live stats and coverage links can be found on the USI Softball schedule page on usiscreamingeagles.com.