EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Big innings highlighted the Kentucky Wesleyan College softball team's match-up with the University of Southern Indiana on Wednesday afternoon. The Panthers split the midweek double-header winning the opener 9-8 in nine innings while USI took game two 7-1.
 
GAME 1: KWC 9, USI 8
The Panthers (11-18) fell behind in the bottom of the first inning as the Screaming Eagles (12-17) scored twice. Wesleyan turned the tables in the top of third with extra base hits. Hannah Scheberle came to the plate with the bases loaded. An error allowed the Panthers to score.
 
Two batters later, Madison Scott provided the first big blow to the Screaming Eagles as her double plated two runs, giving the Panthers a 3-2 lead. With two-outs in the frame Evyn Hendrickson drove-in two more runs with a single up the middle. Mikayla Benson and Lacie Mills each drove-in additional runs in the third to give the Panthers a 7-2 lead.
 
With a five-run lead to work with Bailey Woodall worked quick innings to get into the seventh with a 7-5 lead. With the bases loaded and one out. USI scored twice on a sacrifice fly where a throwing error allowed the game-tying run to score.
 
With the tiebreaker rules in effect the Panthers got runners in scoring position in with two outs. When a throwing error allowed two runs score. Woodall got through the ninth to pick-up a complete game.
 
Woodall earned the win after nine innings of work, allowing eight runs, six earned on 13 hits and two strikeouts. Meryck Hardley finished the game three for five with a run scored. Benson collected two hits and an RBI.
 
GAME 2: KWC 1, USI 7
USI scored a run in the bottom of the second, but the Panthers answered in the top of the third. After a one-out single by Hardley, Scheberle tied the game with a double into left centerfield.
 
A two-run triple in the bottom of the fourth gave the Screaming Eagles a 3-1 lead. Hendrickson worked into the sixth still facing a 3-1 deficit when USI got timely hits and added four more runs in the frame. The Panthers recorded three hits in the finale from Hardley, Scheberle, and Madison Scott.
 
The Panthers will host Cedarville on Saturday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 1PM.
 
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