PEORIA, Ill. – Lindenwood softball (24-24, 14-12 OVC) lost their first game at the Ohio Valley Conference Championships on Wednesday evening against the #4 seed Southern Indiana (17-23, 13-11 OVC) by a final score of 5-2. The Lions will now enter the double elimination bracket as they look to rebound tomorrow afternoon.

KEY STATS
Irelynn West: 2-3, HR, 2RBI, R
Hanna Johanning: 1-3
Ryleigh Owens: L (11-9), 1.0 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 3 ER, BB, 2 K
Molly Heidrick: 5.0 IP, 4 H, ER, 2 BB
 
Ryleigh Owens (L, 11-9) suffered the loss on Wednesday after throwing the first inning allowing four runs (three earned runs) on four hits while striking out two. The first four hits of the ball game for the Screaming Eagles came against Owens.
 
Lindenwood's first hit of the game came in the first inning after Irelynn West singled up the middle, but was hit into a double play after Jolie McMinn hit the ball directly to the shortstop.
 
Southern Indiana scored their first run in the bottom of the first inning. After a two-base error in left field for the Lions, Sydney Long singled up the middle to put the Screaming Eagles on the board. USI led 1-0 after one.
 
Owens led off the bottom of the second allowing three straight singles scoring one run as the Lions went to the bullpen putting Molly Heidrick on the mound. The Screaming Eagles scored three more runs in the inning putting them ahead 5-0.
 
Heidrick pitched a great final 4.0 inning allowing two hits after the second inning. West put the Lions on the board in the top of the sixth inning after a two-run home run to deep center field scoring Izzy Wilcox from first base. The Lions would get shut-out in the seventh as USI moves on to face #1 seed Eastern Illinois.

Lindenwood will now play the loser between #2 SIUE and #3 Southeast Missouri at 3:00 p.m. CT in Peoria, Ill. For more information go to lindenwoodlions.com.