ROCK HILL, S.C. – Following an 11-0 setback against Marist University early Friday, University of Southern Indiana Softball rebounded with a 2-1 victory against Winthrop University on the first day of the Winthrop Coach Cooke Memorial Tournament.
 
The Screaming Eagles (2-9) began the day against Marist (11-4). The first inning was once again unkind to USI, as the Red Foxes struck for two runs in the top of the first. Marist scored a crooked number in three of the first four innings to lead 7-0 after four.
 
Marist was not done there. The Red Foxes added four more runs in the seventh, winning 11-0 on the heels hitting six home runs in the contest and collecting 14 total hits. Redshirt junior Haley Ahr had three of the six home runs for Marist.
 
USI was limited to three hits offensively. Freshman pitcher Kylie Witthaus (0-4) started the first 2.1 innings, giving up five runs – four earned. Senior hurler Whitley Hunter finished the game, tossing 4.2 innings and allowing six runs.
 
Marist graduate pitcher Kiley Myers (7-0) recorded the win with six innings of work and three strikeouts.
 
Contrasting from the first game, USI's second game against Winthrop (10-6) was a low-scoring, pitcher's duel. Each side notched its first respective hits in the third inning. Both starting pitchers, senior pitcher Josie Newman for USI and sophomore pitcher Lonna Addison for Winthrop, retired the side in order in three of the first four frames.
 
In the top of the fifth inning, Southern Indiana broke through on the scoreboard first when sophomore outfielder Kate Satkoski turned a pitch over the left field fence for her first home run of the season to put USI ahead 1-0.
 
The Screaming Eagles tacked on another run in the sixth inning. Following a single and successful sacrifice to get a runner in scoring position, junior outfielder Olivia Money doubled to score the run and extend USI's lead to 2-0.
 
Southern Indiana sought insurance in the top of the seventh but stranded runners on the corners to keep the score 2-0. Not getting at least one more insurance run almost proved costly, as Winthrop did not go down without a fight in the home half of the seventh.
 
Winthrop got one run back in the inning on an RBI double that put the potential tying run at third and a possible game-winning run at second. Then a two-out walk loaded the bases. Newman sealed the deal with her 15^th strikeout of the game to terminate the threat and give USI the victory.
 
Newman (2-4) got the win after her fourth complete game this season. The right-hander allowed one unearned run off three hits and struck out 15 batters – two off her career high.
 
In addition to Satkoski's and Money's offensive contributions, freshman catcher Jordan Mackey had two doubles in the game.
 
Addison (4-2) was charged with the loss for Winthrop after 6.1 innings of work and two runs surrendered.
 
The Screaming Eagles get back to it at the weekend tournament on Saturday with an early start at 9 a.m. CT against the University of South Carolina Upstate. USI will turn around and also face St. Bonaventure University right after at 11:30 a.m. CT. Live stats and additional coverage links can be found at usiscreamingeagles.com. The Spin 95.7 FM will have radio coverage of the game against USC Upstate.