Box Score (HTML)

CHARLESTON, S.C.--A four-run second inning gave the Wright State baseball team a lead on Sunday and a seven-run seventh inning blew open a close contest for the Raiders, as Wright State knocked off the University of Evansville Purple Aces, 13-3, in the final game of the 2008 Citadel Shootout at Riley Park in Charleston, South Carolina.

After Evansville jumped to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning thanks to a pair of RBI singles by sophomore outfielder Alex Acheson and rookie outfielder Ryan Fleming, Wright State would respond with four runs in the second inning on a pair of home runs by outfielder Ross Vagedes and infielder R.J. Gundolff to take a 4-2 lead.

Acheson would answer back for Evansville with a home run of his own in the third inning, a solo shot to left field for his first career home run at UE, to trim the deficit to 4-3, but the Raiders would plate single runs in the third and fourth innings to grab a 6-3 cushion.  The score would remain 6-3 until the seventh inning, when Wright State would send 13 men to the plate in a seven-run rally against three UE relief pitchers to blow things open and pick up the 13-3 victory.

Acheson continued his hot start to the 2008 season by going 2-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored, and two RBI to pace the Purple Aces attack.  He is now hitting a team-best .429 so far this season with two doubles, a home run, and five RBI in 28 at-bats. 

"When we recruited Alex, we knew that he would develop into a very good player for us," said UE head coach David Seifert.  "He has a great work ethic and has really worked hard in the off-season and during the early part of this season to become a more complete player.  His hard work has really paid off so far this year."

Junior catcher Andrew Gher, from nearby Evansville Harrison High School, also collected his first multi-hit game as a Purple Ace with a 2-for-3 effort at the plate.  Vagedes paced the Wright State offense by going 3-for-5 with a home run, two runs scored, and four RBI.  Aaron Fields also had three hits and drove in three for Wright State.

With the victory, Wright State improves to 1-8 on the season, while Evansville falls to 1-10.  The Purple Aces will finally return home this week to begin an 11-game homestand at Charles H. Braun Stadium.  UE is scheduled to play its first home game of the 2008 season on Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. against Indiana-Southeast.  The Purple Aces will also host Lipscomb on Wednesday afternoon at 3:00 p.m., before hosting the annual Dunn Hospitality Diamond Classic on Friday through Sunday.  Tuesday’s home opener will mark the latest home opener at UE since the 1995 season.