EVANSVILLE, Ind. -- After dropping a pair of games in Southern Indiana's final at-bat Saturday, the Missouri S&T baseball team was swept again by the Eagles Sunday as USI beat the Miners by scores of 7-6 and 4-1.
USI overcame a 6-3 deficit to win the opener, then jumped on the Miners in game two by scoring four times in the opening inning to complete the sweep of the Great Lakes Valley Conference series.
In the first game, the Miners got on Eagle starter Cory Julian for three runs in the opening inning. S&T loaded the bases on two walks and an error on a sacrifice bunt attempt to open the game, then Zac Carter went the other way for a double to drive in two. The Miners got their third run of the inning on an infield groundout off the bat of Yaimel Javier-Cury.
After getting on the board in the first, the Eagles took advantage of some sloppy play by the Miners to score twice in the second, as S&T had two errors in the frame with a balk thrown in as well. However, S&T answered by scoring three more in the third, a rally that started with a one-out double by Carter.
A throwing error on a ball hit by Eaf Redden -- as the Eagles were trying to cut down Carter at third -- allowed him to score, then Drew Davenport singled with two outs to bring in Redden. Louie Joseph kept the inning alive with a hit, then Brandon Cogan followed that with another single to score Davenport.
David Birkby carried that lead into the fifth, but USI loaded the bases right away on a bunt single, a walk and a hit batter. Chad Werry then cleared the bases with a triple to tie the contest and bring about a pitching change. Kyle Griffin retired the first two batters he faced, but Caleb Ehmke tripled to put the Eagles in front.
The Miners were able to get the tying run in scoring position in both the sixth and seventh innings, but were unable to come up with the game-tying hit off Shaun Larsen as he recorded three of his four outs with strikeouts.
Cogan had three hits for S&T in the opener and Carter had two with two runs batted in.
In game two, USI scored four times off Miner starter Matt Campbell in the first inning, then scored its fifth run in the fifth inning on Wes Fink's solo home run. S&T did turn three double plays in the second game, but couldn't get any offense generated to overcome the deficit.
The Miners, who were held to four hits by P.J. Thomas and Larsen, got their only tally in the fourth when Gerad Fox singled, stole second and scored on Thomas McCormick's hit.
The Miners (11-17, 5-10 GLVC) will face Rockhurst in a single game Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the S&T Baseball Field in a make-up contest from a March 30 rainout, then open a four-game home set with Missouri-St. Louis Friday with a 2 p.m. game.
Leave a comment