EVANSVILLE – A day after picking up a walk-off victory over Western Michigan, the University of Evansville baseball team was unable to pull off another late rally on Sunday as the Purple Aces stranded the tying run on third in 4-3 loss to the visiting Broncos at Charles H. Braun Stadium.

UE, which dropped to 7-11 with the loss, threatened in the ninth as a Stewart Nelson single, Jimmy Day sacrifice bunt and Nate Reeder groundout put the tying run 90 feet from home. A two-out Troy Beilsmith walk put runners on the corners for Kenton Crews, but the freshman popped out to second base to bring the game to an end.

"We weren't able to capitalize with runners in scoring position today," UE head coach Wes Carroll said. "We had some opportunities, but we couldn't get the big hit when we needed. Western Michigan is a really quality team, and I think they're going to fight to play in an NCAA Regional this season. I'm glad about how our guys fought back last night, and we had a chance again today, so losing a one-run game like this is tough."

That final inning closed out an impressive relief performance for WMU (9-7) pitcher Kyle Mallwitz, who surrendered three hits over six innings to earn his third victory of the season.

All seven runs scored in the contest would take place in the third. Consecutive singles for WMU's Nick Vogelmeier, Connor Smith and Grant Miller led off the inning, and Tanner Allison brought them all home with a grand slam to right.

UE starter Justin Hayden, who dropped to 1-3 with the loss, bounced back to record three straight outs to end the frame. The junior finished the day with eight hits allowed over six innings while striking out three.

The Aces mounted a response in the bottom half as Reeder and Hasecuster started off with a double and walk. A wild pitch advanced the runners, and Korbin Williams cashed in the first score with a one-out sacrifice fly. Trey Hair followed up with a walk, and Andrew Tanous cut the deficit to two with a single, putting runners on the corners with two outs. Tanous attempted to steal second base to draw the throw, which allowed Hair to score, before he was tagged out to end the frame.

Tanous was the only Ace with multiple hits on the day, going 2-for-3.

WMU's Allison and Miller each had three hits as the Broncos out-hit the Aces 4-3.

UE will return to action at Braun Stadium on Tuesday with a showdown against UT Martin. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.

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