February 14, 2009

Walk-off double keeps Eagles out of win column

at Arkansas-Monticello (9-0) 3, Southern Indiana (0-4) 0
Box Score

Ouachita Baptist (7-3) 4, Southern Indiana 3
Box Score

MONTICELLO, Ark.—The University of Southern Indiana softball team scored two runs in the top of the seventh inning, but a walk-off double in the last half of the final frame gave the Ouachita Baptist University a 4-3 victory over the Screaming Eagles Saturday afternoon at the University of Arkansas-Monticello Super 8 Classic. Earlier in the day, the host Cotton Blossoms of Arkansas-Monticello handed the Eagles a 3-0 setback.

Trailing 3-1 in the top of the seventh inning, the Eagles got back-to-back one-out doubles from junior outfielder Lindsay Raikes (Speedway, Indiana) and junior catcher Tara McConnell (Henderson, Kentucky) to cut the two-run deficit in half.

Sophomore infielder Amanda Brendel (Salem, Illinois) followed the doubles by lining a shot past Ouachita Baptist (7-3) first baseman Taylor Austin to plate McConnell and tie the contest at three runs apiece.

The Eagles (0-4) threatened to push across a go-ahead run after junior designated player Sara Loete (Pekin, Illinois) singled to left field, but back-to-back outs ended USI's surge and left the contest deadlocked.

USI hurler Stephanie Schneider (Birdseye, Indiana) got two straight outs to begin the bottom half of the seventh inning, but a single by Austin followed by a double to straight-away centerfield by pitcher/third baseman Kristen Rigsbee ended the Eagles' bid for their first win of the early campaign.

Lindsay Raikes

Raikes led the Eagles offensively, going 3-for-4 at the plate with a double and a pair of runs scored. Schneider (0-2) was charged with the loss despite a strong effort that saw her scatter seven hits throughout 6.2 innings of work. Only three of the four runs she gave up were earned.

USI struggled offensively against Arkansas-Monticello (9-0) earlier in the day. The Eagles were held to just two hits and watched the Cotton Blossoms take advantage of a lead-off walk to plate three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Sophomore pitcher Dawn McClellan (Valparaiso, Indiana), who had a two-out double in the first inning, was pinned with the loss after giving up three runs off seven hits. She falls to 0-2 with the decision.

USI wraps up the UAM Super 8 Classic Sunday when it faces Ouachita Baptist at 10 a.m. and Arkansas-Monticello at noon.

Dan McDonnell,
USI Sports Information