USI softball seniors carry World Series mentality into first Division I postseason

EVANSVILLE — There have been plenty of highs and lows for the University of Southern Indiana softball seniors.

Back when Allie Goodin, Rachel Martinez, Jordan Rager and Emma Tucher were freshmen, they rode a five-game winning streak before the campaign was ultimately cut short by the pandemic. Then they experienced a van crash involving the team in Owensboro as sophomores. After that adversity, they ended one of their best seasons in program history a year ago at the NCAA Division II World Series.

The Screaming Eagles (20-21) have ridden the roller coaster to the Division I level, where they finished third in the Ohio Valley Conference heading into this week's tournament.

These seniors never lost focus or insight. One thing USI coach Sue Kunkle constantly emphasizes is to control what's controllable.

"I think we overcame a lot," Goodin said. "Obviously, (our) freshman and sophomore years were hard years for us, Just being able to make that run last year was an unforgettable experience. And just being third this season overall in the OVC and making that run has obviously been a great opportunity for us, too."

The bond that USI's senior class has with each other is also unforgettable.

Martinez remembers moving to Evansville from Chicago. She felt like an outsider because many of the other girls knew each other from travel ball and no one else came from her neck of the woods. But it didn't take long for her to feel at home through her roommates, Rager and Tucher. Their bond got even stronger once Goodin joined the mix as a sophomore.

"I just love to see them do what they do best and I love seeing them thrive," Rager said. "In any situation, I trust them with my life when it comes to softball. I trust them to execute and just get the job done. I don't really ever doubt them."

Through USI softball, Rager's classmates are now bridesmaids for her upcoming wedding. Tucher is engaged as well. They've all matured together, as teammates, friends and leaders.

"With my major that I chose with nursing, I wasn't there all the time at practices," Martinez said. "So that made me have to step up a little bit more and become a leader for the freshmen and underclassmen."

Each senior has brought something special to the table. Goodin has been solid both at the plate and in the circle. Although she hasn't pitched for a few weeks, she's been on a tear as her .409 average is second-best in the OVC.

Tucher has been an effective pinch runner as well as an outstanding fielder. Martinez and Rager also each have seven career triples, ranking seventh in program history. Kunkle made a joke a couple of years back that the middle infielders were like "peanut butter and jelly" and needed to be cohesive with one another.

They've called themselves the "dynamic duo of peanut butter and jelly" from there.

"Your middle infield has to (mesh) in order to be good," Kunkle said. "They played a lot of innings there together as middles. Once you get to the point where you're comfortable with somebody, it really does make a difference."

"I wouldn't want anyone else to play shortstop that long beside next to me," Martinez added of Rager.

USI has closed out its first Division I regular season by winning four straight conference games. It will play the Tennessee State-Lindenwood winner in the third game of the OVC Tournament. The Eagles have a 4-1 record against the two this season.

While the Eagles cannot compete in the NCAA Tournament for the next few years, they are still ready to make some noise within the OVC. The senior class, which won its 100th game over the weekend against Tennessee Tech, is also excited about one final go-round in the red and blue uniform.

"I think we'll do awesome," Tucher said. "I don't think that we're going to go in there and lay an egg or anything. We'll definitely push through, and being the resilient team we are, we'll for sure make it far."

Goodin added: "I'm just looking forward to everyone being together one last time, all our family and friends and just being able to celebrate us. I feel like we all deserve it. So just having those two days to spend with family and friends even after the game is just going to be something that I have with me for the rest of my life."

Courier & Press sports reporter Treasure Washington can be reached via her email, treasure.washington@courierpress.com, and on Twitter @Twashington490.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: USI softball prepared for first Ohio Valley Conference tournament