EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball swept a doubleheader and completed a three-game sweep of Youngstown State, 10-1 and 4-1, Sunday on the final day of the Holiday Inn Showcase at the USI Baseball Field. USI is 12-4 this season, while YSU goes to 1-13.
The 12-4 mark is USI's best start since 1996 when the Screaming Eagles were 13-4 to begin the season. This spring also is USI's best start in the Division I era.
GAME 1:
USI junior right-hander
Ryan Weller threw five strong innings and junior catcher
Drue Saenz drove in four runs as the Screaming Eagles cruised to a 10-1 win in the opening game. USI scored two in the second, two in the fourth, and blew the game open with six in the eighth.
Weller (2-0) allowed one run on four hits and three walks, while striking out three in five innings of work. Saenz had a pair of hits, a double and triple, and a sacrifice fly to drive in the four runs.
Graduate rightfielder
Jesse Velders also drove in a pair of runs in the victory.
GAME 2:
USI senior first baseman
Patrick McLellan hit a two-run home run in the opening frame to lead the Screaming Eagles to a 4-1 victory in the nightcap.
After McLellan's first-inning blast, the Penguins scored once in the fourth to narrow the gap to 2-1. USI would seal the victory with a pair of runs in the sixth when senior catcher
Micajah Wall doubled in junior second baseman
Parker Martin and scored on a single by junior designated hitter
Collin Senior for the eventual 4-1 victory.
On the mound, junior right-hander
Eben Hansen started and led seven USI hurlers in the nightcap. Hansen (1-0) picked up the win, going three scoreless innings, allowing one hit and two walks. He also struck out two batters.
USI junior right-hander
Trey O'Neil finished the game and picked up his first save of the season by striking out three of four batters in the ninth.
Up Next for the Screaming Eagles:
USI is scheduled to be on the road for five straight games. The road swing starts at Missouri Tuesday for a 6 p.m.; continues with a three-game series at Southern Illinois March 13-15; and concludes at Bellarmine March 17 at 1 p.m. (CT).
Missouri is 14-2 after posting a 10-0 win over Illinois-Chicago this afternoon in Columbia, Missouri. The Tigers have won 12-straight and are 9-0 at home this season. Tuesday's matchup between USI and Missouri will be the first in baseball.