ST. CHARLES, Mo. – University of Southern Indiana Softball's series opener at Lindenwood University on Saturday went scoreless for five innings, but the Lions broke the tie with a two-run sixth inning to come out ahead 2-0 to begin the Ohio Valley Conference series.
USI Softball (10-17, 7-3 OVC), which seeks a fourth OVC series win this weekend, totaled three hits in the game while suffering back-to-back losses for the first time since the end of the non-conference season. Meanwhile, Lindenwood (14-18, 3-7 OVC) collected nine hits and won its second game in a row following a 1-0 shutout victory during the midweek against Saint Louis University.
The Screaming Eagles sent out sophomore pitcher
Kylie Witthaus for the start on Saturday. The left-handed pitcher kept everything in check through the first few innings, stranding a few Lions in scoring position in the early going. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Witthaus pitched out of a bases-loaded jam that kept the scoreless pitcher's duel intact.
USI notched its first hits of the game on back-to-back singles by junior outfielder
Kate Satkoski and junior catcher
Alyssa Mumaw. However, USI could not scratch across a run as both were left on base.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Lindenwood had runners at second and third with one out, and a two-RBI single drove in both runners to end the 0-0 tie and give the Lions a 2-0 advantage.
Despite a leadoff double by junior infielder
Sydney Long in the top of the seventh inning, with USI looking to answer, Lindenwood sat down the next three Eagles and ended the game with a diving catch.
Witthaus received a no-decision after going 4.2 shutout innings and allowing six hits. Freshman pitcher
Elly Robbins (5-6) was charged with the loss, coming on in relief for 1.1 innings pitched and giving up two runs off three hits.
Lindenwood starting pitcher Samantha Roulanaitis (3-0) earned the win behind her second consecutive complete-game shutout, picking up where she left off from the midweek game against Saint Louis.
The OVC series between USI and Lindenwood concludes on Sunday with a Noon doubleheader from the Lou Brock Sports Complex in St. Charles, Missouri. Both games can be seen with an ESPN+ subscription. Additional coverage and live stat links are available on the USI Softball schedule page on usiscreamingeagles.com.
