EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball started its Ohio Valley Conference series at Little Rock off to a good start with an 8-5 victory Friday evening at Gary Hogan Field in Little Rock, Arkansas. USI is 17-9 this season and 3-1 in the OVC, while Little Rock falls to 15-11, 3-1 OVC.
 
USI started the game on a good note with a 1-0 lead when senior first baseman Patrick McLellan scored on a wild pitch. The lead did not last long as the Trojans scored three in the second and one in the third to lead, 4-1.
 
The Screaming Eagles bounce back to re-take the lead, 6-4, with a five-run fourth inning. McLellan led the rally with a two-run triple for the 5-4 lead before scoring on a wild pitch to push the margin to 6-4.

Little Rock cut the deficit to one, 6-5, with a tally in the bottom of the fourth. USI held onto the one-run lead until the eighth when graduate centerfielder Khi Holiday singled in a pair of runs for the 8-5 advantage. The Screaming Eagles made that lead stand up the rest of the way and closed out the victory.
 
USI junior right-hander Levin East picked up his team-best fourth win of the year in relief. East threw three innings and blanked the Trojans on two hits, while striking out four.
 
USI senior right-hander Andres Gonzalez finished the game for the Screaming Eagles, throwing two innings to get his first save of the year. Gonzalez allowed two hits and struck out one to earn the save.
 
USI started the game with junior right-hander Abriel Figueroa, who received a no-decision. Figueroa allowed five runs on eight hits and three walks, while striking out three in four innings of work.   
 
Up Next for the Screaming Eagles:
The Screaming Eagles continue the series with the Trojans Saturday when they meet for a 4 p.m. first pitch. The series is set to conclude Sunday at 1 p.m.  
 
Following the series at Little Rock, USI will end the four-game road swing with a visit to Middle Tennessee State March 31 for a 4 p.m. matchup in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.