KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball goes toe-to-toe with #8 University of Tennessee, but lost, 2-1, Wednesday evening in Knoxville, Tennessee. USI is 4-8 to start the season, while Tennessee goes 13-1.
A pitcher’s duel through five innings as the Screaming Eagles and the Volunteers were not able to muster more than a combined seven hits and nine total base runners. USI senior designated hitter Tucker Ebest (Austin, Texas) ended the offensive drought by both teams by crushing a bomb to center field for a 1-0 Eagles lead and his second round tripper of the season.
The 1-0 lead was short lived as the Volunteers responded with a solo shot of their own in the bottom of the frame. Tennessee broke the tie four batters later with a single and run scored for a 2-1 lead at the end of six.
https://usiscreamingeagles.com/boxscore.aspx?path=baseball&id=11171
USI would go down in order in the seventh and would strand the tying run at second in the seventh and eighth as Tennessee closed out the 2-1 decision.
Freshman right-hander Clayton Weisheit (Ferdinand, Indiana) began the contest on the mound for USI, getting a no-decision in his first collegiate start. Weisheit threw four scoreless innings, allowing two hits and a walk, while striking out four.
The loss in the game for USI went to junior right-hander Gavin Morris (Brazil, Indiana). Morris (0-1) allowed two runs on four hits, while striking out four.
Up Next for the Eagles:
USI continues its nine-game road swing this weekend when it visits Bellarmine University for a three-game. The series starts Friday at 1:30 p.m. (CST); continues Saturday at 1:30 p.m. (CST); and concludes Sunday at 1:30 p.m. (CDT).
The Knights of Bellarmine University are off to a rough start to 2024, going 1-10 and losing 10-straight. Bellarmine visited Marshall University Wednesday before hosting USI this weekend.
USI leads the all-time series with Bellarmine, 85-77, dating back to 1970s and when both teams were members of the Great Lakes Valley Conference. The Eagles extended its series lead after winning two-of-three from the Knights at the USI Baseball Field last spring.
