EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball built an early lead and held on to defeat Tennessee Tech University, 8-6, Saturday at the USI Baseball Field. USI, which snapped a five-game losing streak, is 24-23 overall and 7-13 in the Ohio Valley Conference, while TTU goes to 17-31, 5-15 OVC.
The Screaming Eagles enjoyed all of the momentum early, building an 8-0 lead through eight innings. Senior first baseman
Patrick McLellan, who was two-for-four with two runs scored, two RBI, a double, and a home run, started the scoring with a blast over the left center wall for a 1-0 lead in the third. The home run was McLellan's fourth of the season.
The score would remain 1-0 until the fifth when the Screaming Eagles struck for a pair of runs to lead 3-0, aided by an error by Tennessee Tech. USI extended the margin to 5-0 in the sixth on a RBI-double by junior second baseman
Parker Martin and a RBI-walk by graduate rightfielder
Jesse Velders. Velder tied for the game-high with two RBI in the contest.
USI sealed the victory and posted a game-high 8-0 lead with three more runs in the eighth. McLellan doubled in the sixth run of the game, while junior catcher
Drue Saenz singled in a pair of RBI for the 8-0 advantage.
The Screaming Eagles would need all eight of those runs as the Golden Eagles rallied in the top of the ninth with all six of their runs in the game, three coming on a three-run home run, before USI closed out the 8-6 final.
On the bump for USI, sophomore right-hander
Ean DiPasquale posted his fourth win of the season. DiPasquale (4-1) pitched a strong five innings, blanking the Golden Eagles on four hits and two walks, while striking out three.
With the victory, USI remains in the hunt for a spot in the 2026 OVC postseason tournament. The Screaming Eagles are ninth in the OVC after the end of today's games, one game behind Western Illinois University and UT Martin (both tied for sixth at 8-12 in the league). USI won the season series with WIU and UTM and would have the tie-breaker.
The top eight teams in the conference qualify for the OVC Championship, which is slated for May 19-23 at Mtn Dew Park in Marion, Illinois.
Up Next for the Screaming Eagles:
The Screaming Eagles and the Golden Eagles play the series finale Sunday at 1 p.m.
Following the series, USI will be on the road for the next four games, beginning Tuesday with a visit to the University of Evansville for a 6 p.m. match-up. The Screaming Eagles took the first meeting of 2026, 14-4, at the USI Baseball Field last month.
Fans are encouraged to watch social media and
USIScreamingEagles.com for any schedule changes due to weather. Links to follow the Screaming Eagles during 2026 can be found on
USIScreamingEagles.com and the
USI Baseball Schedule.
