EVANSVILLE, Ind. – For the first time since April 24, 2007, the Kentucky Wesleyan College softball team defeated University of Southern Indiana on Tuesday night. The 4-3 victory in game one marks the first win for the Panthers in 18 meetings with the Screaming Eagles.
Game One: KWC 4 – USI 3
The Screaming Eagles jumped out to an early 3-0 lead after scoring two runs in the first and one more in the bottom of the third before the Panthers scored four unanswered runs to take game one.
With the bases loaded and no outs in the top of the fourth, Andee Powell flied out to left center field, but it was deep enough for Kaitie Woodard to score Wesleyan's first run. Two batters later, Meredith Daunhauer drew a walk and a failed pickoff attempt by the catcher allowed Delaney Mixer to score and cut the deficit to one.
In her first at bat since tearing her ACL on March 15, Jaclyn Parker hit her first home run of the season, a two-out solo shot down the left field line to tie the game at three.
Down to their final out in the top of the seventh, Lexie Mullen smacker her team-leading seventh home run of the season, a solo shot to center field to give Wesleyan a 4-3 lead.
Southern Indiana put one runner on in the bottom of the seventh with one out but Autumn Grady held on for her sixth win of the season. The junior threw a complete game, striking out one and allowing three runs off of eight hits.
Game Two: KWC 1 – USI 2
The night cap quickly became a pitcher's duel with the two teams combining for just four hits in the first five innings. Six runners reached scoring position but neither team was able to capitalize.
Mullen led off the top of the sixth with a double to the gap in the right center and moved to third on a single from Courtney Lockwood. A passed ball allowed Mullen to score and give the Panthers a 1-0 lead. Wesleyan loaded the bases with one out but were unable to extend their lead.
In the bottom of the seventh Southern Indiana loaded the bases with one out. Jamie Tempel tallied the second out of the inning with a nice grab in right field before the Screaming Eagles tied the game on a fielding error. Southern Indiana took game two in walk-off fashion with a bases loaded walk.
Wesleyan takes on McKendree University on Wednesday at 1 pm CT in a non-conference doubleheader. The Panthers return to Great Midwest Athletic Conference action this weekend as they head to Davis & Elkins on Friday and Alderson Broaddus on Saturday.
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