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PEORIA, Ill. – The University of Evansville baseball team took advantage of three defensive miscues by the host Bradley University Braves, pounding out 15 hits in an 11-4 victory on Friday night at O’Brien Field in Peoria, Illinois.

 

The Purple Aces entered the third inning with a 2-1 lead, but broke the game wide open in the top of the third, bringing 11 batters to the plate and scoring a total of seven runs in the frame. Evansville totaled four hits in the inning, but benefited from two hit by pitches, one walk and one error to take a 9-1 lead that they would never give up.

 

Senior center fielder Jim Viscomi led the way on Friday night for the Aces, reaching base in each of his six times at the plate, finishing a perfect 5-5 with a pair of doubles and three singles. Viscomi also stole two bases on the night, bumping his season total up to 19 on the season.

 

“That’s the Jimmy that we all remember from the 2007 season,” said head coach Wes Carroll. “Jimmy and the rest of our offense really came out a set the tone early and we carried that throughout the rest of the game.”

 

John Foley (4-2) picked up the victory on the mound, tossing into the seventh inning, scattering 11 hits and allowing three runs and two walks while also striking out four Bradley batters.

 

“John was able to pitch out of every jam he got into tonight,” said head coach Carroll, “and he did it on a night when he didn’t have his best stuff on the mound.

 

Much of the Aces success on Friday night can be attributed to the work done by the leadoff man in each inning. The Purple Aces’ leadoff man reached base in eight of the nine innings, crossing the plate in four of those innings.

 

Third baseman Cody Fick, designated hitter Greg Wallace and right fielder Nate Smith all recorded two hits a piece. Wallace led the way in the RBI department, knocking in three. Wallace was followed closely by Fick and left fielder Alex Acheson, who both tallied a pair of RBIs.

 

Due to the expectation of inclement weather on Sunday, Evansville and Bradley will play a doubleheader on Saturday. First pitch is currently set for 2:00 p.m. and can be heard live on 91.5 F.M.-WUEV. Wade Kapteyn (2-5, 4.06 ERA) will take the mound in Game 1.  Keegan Dennis (1-2, 7.39 ERA) will get the call in Game 2.