EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball opened a three-game set with a 5-1 win over Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Friday evening at the USI Baseball Field. The Screaming Eagles are 20-26 overall and 9-10 OVC, while Cougars go to 18-26-1, 10-9 OVC.
 
USI senior rightfielder Ren Tachioka (Japan) gave the Eagles the initial 1-0 advantage in the first inning. Tachioka led off the game for the Eagles with a single to center, advanced to third on an error on a failed pick off, and scored on a ground out to short by sophomore shortstop Caleb Niehaus (Newburgh, Indiana).
 
The Eagles increased the lead to 2-0 in the fourth on a RBI-double by senior designated hitter Jack Ellis (Jeffersonville, Indiana). Ellis knocked in the second USI run of the game after junior centerfielder Terrick Thompson-Allen (Sioux City, Iowa) and junior leftfielder Thomas Emerich (Ava, Missouri) walked to start the frame.
 
After SIUE cut the USI lead in half with a tally in the sixth, Tachioka and junior third baseman Ricardo Van Grieken (Venezuela) gave the Eagles back control, 4-1, with back-to-back singles to start the scoring in the top of the seventh. Tachioka, who is second in the OVC in hitting with a .390 average, would eventually score the Eagles' fifth run and the four-run lead on an attempted double steal with Niehaus.
 
The USI hurlers and defense would hold the Cougars scoreless the rest of the way and rolled to a 5-1 win.
 
On the mound, freshman right-hander Grant Parson (Owensville, Kentucky) picked up his fourth win of the season. Parson (4-1) went seven innings, allowing one run on five hits and two walks. The freshman right-hander also struck out a season-high nine batters in the victory.
 
USI freshman right-hander Clayton Weisheit (Ferdinand, Indiana) finished the game for the Eagles on the mound. Weisheit threw a pair of scoreless innings, striking out a pair. 
 
Up Next for the Eagles:
 
USI and SIUE continue the series Saturday with USI Dugout Club Day at 3 p.m. The series concludes Sunday at 1 p.m. when its "Bark at the Park" at the USI Baseball Field.
 
Coming up this month:
The final series of the season will be Alumni Weekend when USI hosts Western Illinois University (May 16-18). The Eagles will have Senior Day and will honor the 2014 NCAA Division II National Championship team prior to the 1 p.m. game May 18.