For Immediate Release
April 3, 2001

The University of Southern Indiana baseball team earned a split with Indiana University Southeast Tuesday afternoon at the USI Baseball Field, falling 5-4 in 11 innings in game one and winning 11-6 in game two. USI’s record goes to 15-13 overall, while IUS goes to 15-18.

Sophomore second baseman Adam Schiff (Evansville, Indiana) and sophomore rightfielder Justin Konopacki (Ft. Wayne, Indiana) homered to boost USI to an 11-6 victory in the second game. Konopacki’s drive came in the third inning to give USI a 5-2 lead, while Schiff’s two-run shot in the fourth gave USI a 7-3 lead.

Konopacki finished the game going two-for-three with three runs scored and one RBI, while Schiff was two-for-three with two runs scored and two RBIs.

USI rounded out the scoring with two more runs in the fifth and sixth, making the final score of 11-6.

First-year right-hander Mike Schrader (Covington, Indiana) got his first victory as a collegiate to go 1-1 on the season, while freshman right-hander Nathan Esche (Mt. Vernon, Indiana) got his first save. Schrader went 4 2/3, allowing 11 hits and six runs, while Esche worked 2 1/3 and allowed only two hits while striking out three.

In game one, USI did not use two good pitching performances by sophomore right-hander Dustin Macke (Evansville, Indiana) and freshman right-hander Drew Neel (Newburgh, Indiana). Macke had his best outing of the year, going six innings, allowing six hits, four unearned runs, and only three walks. Neel took the loss for the Eagles finishing the final five innings, allowing five hits, an unearned run, and a walk while striking out one.

The Eagles committed six errors to allow the five unearned runs behind Macke and Neel. Neel falls to 0-3 on the season.

Sophomore shortstop Josh Perkins (Lafayette, Indiana) got back on track after his 21 game hitting streak was broken on Sunday, going three-for-six with a run scored and a double in game one. Konopacki added a two run triple in the third inning.

USI will resume Great Lakes Valley Conference action Wednesday, April 4, hosting Southern Illinois University Edwardsville at the USI Baseball Field for a single-nine inning game. Game time is 3 p.m.

The Eagles will host the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, Saturday, April 7, and Lewis University, Sunday, April 8, in GLVC doubleheaders this weekend. The doubleheaders will begin at noon each day.