EVANSVILLE, Ind. (Interstat) — Patrick McLellan’s two-run homer in the first inning provided all the offense Southern Indiana would need, and a parade of eight Screaming Eagles pitchers combined to stifle Youngstown State in a 4-1 victory Sunday in the opener of a doubleheader.

The win improved Southern Indiana’s record to 12-4, while Youngstown State fell to 1-13.

The Screaming Eagles struck immediately against Penguins starter Mikey Rodriques. After a groundout, Noah Foster doubled down the right-field line. McLellan, the first baseman, followed by driving a pitch over the left-field wall for a two-run shot, staking the home team to a 2-0 lead before an out was recorded in the bottom of the first.

That early advantage proved insurmountable as Southern Indiana’s deep pitching staff took control. Starter Eben Hansen earned the win with three strong innings, allowing just one hit and no runs while striking out two. The bullpen then took over, with six relievers combining to allow just two more hits over the final six frames.

Youngstown State’s lone run came in the fourth inning without the benefit of a hit. Nic Goodwin and Nick Miscavage drew walks off reliever Brady Watts. After a flyout advanced Goodwin to third, Jacob Barrett entered from the bullpen. A wild pitch during James Carlson’s walk allowed Goodwin to score, cutting the deficit to 2-1. The Penguins loaded the bases later in the inning but could not deliver a tying hit.

The Screaming Eagles added crucial insurance in the sixth inning against Penguins reliever Brandon Mikos. Parker Martin led off with a single and scored on Micajah Wall’s RBI double to left field. Wall then came home on Collin Senior’s run-scoring single through the right side, extending the lead to 4-1.

Youngstown State threatened in the eighth, putting two runners on with a bunt single by Kendal Spencer and a hit-by-pitch, but Ean DiPasquale induced a groundout to end the inning. In the ninth, Southern Indiana closer Trey O’Neil struck out the side to seal the victory.

The most important part of the game was Southern Indiana’s immediate response to Youngstown State’s only run. After the Penguins scratched across a run in the top of the fourth on a wild pitch to make it 2-1, they had momentum and the bases loaded. The Screaming Eagles’ bullpen escaped that jam, and then their offense immediately answered with two runs in the bottom of the sixth. That sequence extinguished Youngstown State’s rally and re-established a multi-run cushion, allowing Southern Indiana to confidently deploy its late-inning relievers.

Youngstown State managed only three hits in the game, with Spencer’s bunt single in the eighth being their only hit after the third inning. James Carlson had the Penguins’ only extra-base hit, a double in the sixth.

Six different Southern Indiana pitchers recorded at least one strikeout, with O’Neil’s three in the ninth highlighting a 10-strikeout day for the staff. Kale Wemer provided a bright spot for Youngstown State out of the bullpen, entering with two on in the sixth and recording the final out, then pitching a scoreless seventh.

The teams were scheduled to conclude the doubleheader later Sunday.