EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball opened Alumni Weekend with an 8-1 victory over Western Illinois University Thursday afternoon at the USI Baseball Field. The Screaming Eagles are 23-30 overall and 12-13 OVC, while Leathernecks go to 13-35, 8-17 OVC.
 
With the win, USI rises into a tie for fifth in the OVC standings at press time. The Eagles, 12-13 in the league, are tied in the standings with the University of Tennessee at Martin and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The Cougars could rise or fall out of the tie pending the conclusion of the doubleheader nightcap versus Morehead State University that started at 5 p.m.
 
The OVC Championship, presented by SERVPRO, is scheduled for May 22-25 at Mtn Dew Park in Marion, Illinois.  
 
The Eagles used a two-run second inning to take command of the game, 2-0, early. USI junior catcher Logan Mock (Livermore, California) started the scoring by driving in junior leftfielder Thomas Emerich (Ava, Missouri), who had doubled to start the frame.
 
Mock would come around to score one batter later when junior second baseman Lane Crowden (Jackson, Missouri) tripled down the right field line for the 2-0.
 
USI expanded the lead to 6-0 with a 4-run fourth inning. Mock struck again for the first run of the inning with a sacrifice fly, while Crowden made the score 4-0 with a RBI-single to left. Junior third baseman Ricardo Van Grieken (Venezuela), after a single by senior rightfielder Ren Tachioka (Japan), capped off the four-run frame with a two-run double to right field for the 6-0 lead.
 
Following an Emerich single to start the seventh, junior centerfielder Terrick Thompson-Allen (Sioux City, Iowa) smacked a RBI-triple to left center and scored on a wild pitch to give USI an 8-0 advantage. The Leathernecks closed the gap in the ninth with a tally before the Eagles closed out the 8-1 victory.
 
USI junior right-hander Peyton Brown (Clemmons, North Carolina) was dominating through six innings and picked up the victory. Brown (2-2), who posted his longest outing of the season, blanked the Leathernecks on two hits and two walks, while striking out four.
 
USI senior right-hander Trent Robinson (Louisville, Kentucky) picked up the save after throwing the final three innings. Robins allowed one run on one hit and two walks, while striking out two.
 
Up Next for the Eagles:
The Eagles and the Leathernecks continue the series Friday at 6 p.m. before concluding the series with USI's Senior Day at 1 p.m. In addition to Senior Day Saturday, USI will be recognizing the 2014 NCAA Division II National Championship team prior to the game.