EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – University of Southern Indiana Softball began its second consecutive Ohio Valley Conference road series on Saturday with a series-opening 7-2 setback against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
USI Softball (13-22, 10-9 OVC) broke a scoreless tie to grab the lead in the top of the fourth inning, but SIUE (20-24, 11-8 OVC) rallied with seven unanswered runs in the final few innings.
In an early pitcher's duel, freshman pitcher
Anna Kemp and SIUE starting pitcher Avery Arwood kept offense at a premium through the first few innings, with the game scoreless after three.
In the top of the fourth inning, back-to-back singles to lead off the frame for USI got the Screaming Eagles' offense going. After pushing two runners into scoring position, junior catcher
Alyssa Mumaw squeezed in a run to put USI on the scoreboard first. A sac fly by sophomore designated player
Grace Huffman in the next at-bat doubled USI's lead to 2-0.
However, SIUE responded in the bottom of the fourth with five runs, utilizing a small-ball approach to their advantage during a few at-bats in the inning.
Even though the Eagles were able to get the first two on base in the fifth and sixth innings, the Cougars kept USI from scoring while adding two more runs in their home half of the sixth to gain a five-run difference before closing out the contest.
USI outhit SIUE in the game, 6-4. Freshman outfielder
Katelyn Marx led USI with two hits, while Mumaw and Huffman tallied an RBI each.
In the pitching circle, Kemp ended up with a no-decision. The right-hander went three innings with two strikeouts and allowed two runs, but only one was earned. Sophomore pitcher
Kylie Witthaus (3-7) was charged with the loss in relief, going three innings and surrendering five runs – four earned – with a strikeout.
SIUE's Arwood (7-6) recorded the win and went the distance, giving up the two runs.
The Screaming Eagles and Cougars decide the series on Sunday with a Noon doubleheader. 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.
