The University of Southern Indiana baseball team dropped an 11-inning marathon to Oakland City University, 9-8, in Oakland City, Indiana, Thursday afternoon. USI falls to 11-11, while OCU goes to 3-14 in 2001.

Sophomore right-hander Dustin Macke (Evansville, Indiana) took the loss for the Eagles, giving up a home run to OCU junior third baseman Kevin Schickel in the 11^th. Macke was throwing in relief of freshman right-hander Mike Schrader (Covington, Indiana), who went the first three innings and allowed five runs; and freshman right-hander Drew Neel (Newburgh, Indiana), who threw 4 2/3 innings and allowed three runs.

The highlight for the Eagles was the return to the line-up of sophomore shortstop Josh Perkins (Lafayette, Indiana). Perkins continued his USI record breaking hitting streak to 19 games with a single in the eighth.

Sophomore rightfielder Justin Konopacki (Ft. Wayne, Indiana), last week’s Great Lakes Valley Conference Player of the Week, continued to have the hot stick for the Eagles, going three-for-three with three RBIs in the loss.

USI resumes Great Lakes Valley Conference action with doubleheaders Saturday, March 31, at Saint Joseph’s College and Sunday, April 1, at Indiana University/Purdue University Ft. Wayne. Action begins at noon both days.