EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Softball closed out its home schedule on Sunday by celebrating its 2026 senior class, but the Screaming Eagles came up just shy in their battle against Eastern Illinois University in a 7-4 decision in the series finale.
USI Softball (13-28, 10-14 OVC) loaded the bases and brought the potential game-winning run to the plate in the bottom of the seventh inning at USI Softball Field, but Eastern Illinois (30-20, 20-3 OVC) held on to take the ballgame and complete a series sweep.
On Sunday, both teams wasted no time getting on the scoreboard. Eastern Illinois struck for three runs in the top of the first inning. However, USI quickly answered with four runs in the home half of the first. The four-run inning was highlighted by a two-RBI knock by sophomore third baseman
Jordan Mackey that pushed USI in front, 4-3.
After a couple of scoreless frames, Eastern Illinois regained the lead with a two-run fourth inning to go up 5-4. USI nearly tied the game in the bottom of the fourth, but a play at the plate ruled against the Eagles, as the potential tying run was called out.
The Panthers went on to add a run in the top of the fifth and another in the top of the seventh to increase their lead to 7-4.
The Screaming Eagles looked to answer with a two-out rally in the bottom of the seventh. A pair of two-out singles and a walk loaded the bases to bring the potential game-winning run to the plate. However, Eastern Illinois got a final flyout to close out the ballgame.
Mackey led the USI offense with two hits and two RBIs. Junior catcher
Alyssa Mumaw also had two hits, as Mumaw and Mackey combined for four of USI's five hits. Senior
Olivia Money notched the other hit and had an RBI.
In the pitching circle, freshman pitcher
Anna Kemp (4-11) suffered the loss after being charged with five runs allowed in 3.1 innings of work. Freshman pitcher
Elly Robbins came on in relief and went 3.2 innings with two runs allowed and two strikeouts.
Eastern Illinois starting pitcher Karlie McKenzie was chased after lasting only two-thirds of an inning and giving up four unearned runs. Bryanna French (9-6) settled things down for the Panthers and got the win, tossing 6.1 scoreless innings.
Following Sunday's ballgame, USI celebrated and recognized its 2026 graduating class of
Caroline Stapleton,
Maddison Depencier,
Olivia Money, and
Julianna Hibbs on the field.
Through the end of USI's contest, the Screaming Eagles remained in seventh in the Ohio Valley Conference standings, as Eastern Illinois maintained its first-place positioning. USI looks to clinch a fourth consecutive berth into the OVC Tournament in the coming days of the final week of the regular season.
The Screaming Eagles close out the regular season on the road at the University of Tennessee at Martin at the end of the week. Friday's series-opening doubleheader can be seen with an ESPN+ subscription. Additional coverage and live stat links are available on the USI Softball schedule page on usiscreamingeagles.com.
