EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball captured its first Ohio Valley Conference series of the season with an 8-1 win over Tennessee Tech University Sunday afternoon at the USI Baseball Field. USI is 11-12 overall and 2-1 in the OVC, while TTU goes to 13-11, 1-2 OVC.
 
The Screaming Eagles have won four series overall this season, matching the season total of series victories in 2023.
 
USI got the scoring started in the bottom first with a tally in the opening frame. USI senior first baseman Tucker Ebest (Austin, Texas) started the rally with a double down the right field line before being driven in by a senior designated hitter Jack Ellis (Jeffersonville, Indiana) on a two-out RBI-single to right for the 1-0 lead.
 
Ellis would end the game with a team-best three-for-four at the plate with two runs scored and two RBI.
 
USI increased the lead to 5-0 with a four-run surge in the bottom of the third, beginning with a RBI ground out by Ebest and a RBI-single by Ellis. Junior catcher Logan Mock (Livermore, California) followed with a RBI-triple to left for the third run of the frame, while junior centerfielder Terrick Thompson-Allen (Souix City, Iowa) finished the scoring in the frame with a RBI-single through the right side to make the score 5-0.
 
USI junior second baseman Lane Crowden (Jackson, Missouri) capped off a three-run fifth with a two-run single to extend the USI advantage to 8-0. Crowden tied Ellis for the team-lead with two RBIs in the game.
 
TTU would get a tally in the top of the eighth before USI closed the door on the 8-1 victory.
 
USI junior right-hander Gavin Morris (Jeffersonville, Indiana) picked up his team-high tying third win of the season. Morris (3-1) three six scoreless, allowing three hits and three walks, while striking out three batters.
 
Morris was followed to the mound by freshman right-hander Clayton Weisheit (Ferdinand, Indiana) and junior right-hander Tyler Hutson (Villa Hills, Kentucky). Weisheit gave up a run on two hits and a base on balls in two innings, while Hutson allowed a hit and struck out three in the ninth.
 
Up Next for the Eagles:
 
The Screaming Eagles return to the road next week with a visit to Ball State University Tuesday and an OVC series at Morehead State University March 28-30.
 
Ball State, which is 13-12 overall this season, is coming off a series loss to Toledo University on the road after snagging the series finale, 4-2, Sunday. The Cardinals lead the all-time series with USI, 3-0, after winning the first meeting of the year with the Screaming Eagles, 10-4, at the USI Baseball Field.