SPRINGFIELD, Mo.—University of Evansville juniors Greg Wallace and Cody Fick combined for six of UE’s nine hits on Saturday, including back-to-back RBI base-hits to key a three-run seventh-inning rally by the Purple Aces which propelled UE to a 6-4 victory over the Missouri State Bears at Hammons Field in Springfield, Missouri.

 

Wallace began UE’s three-run rally in the seventh inning with a two-out, two-run single through the right-side of the Missouri State infield, and advanced to third on a throwing error by the Bears on the play. Fick then followed with an RBI base hit to score Wallace and give UE a 6-4 lead.

 

Senior closer Tom Heithoff then worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the eighth inning, and worked around a lead-off single and walk to strike out the side in the ninth inning to preserve the victory and earn his fourth save of the year.

 

“Our guys really earned this victory today,” said UE head coach Wes Carroll. “They really competed well today and battled from the first out to the final out of the game to earn this win and even the series. Now, we have the chance to really set the tone for our conference season tomorrow and earn a series victory with a win on Sunday.”

 

Missouri State jumped to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning, as catcher Luke Voit hit a wind-aided three-run home run to left field off of UE starter Sam Johns. Johns would settle down though and not allow another run until the sixth inning, while striking out seven men. In the meantime, Johns’ teammates were able to tie the game at 3-3 with a two-run fourth inning thanks to an RBI single by Wallace and a sacrifice fly by junior Ty Legan and an unearned run in the fifth inning.

 

“Sam Johns really battled hard today after a rough start,” said Carroll. “He really didn’t have his slider early, but was still able to work through things and he gave us a chance to win today. That’s exactly what you like to see out of your starter, and it is a great sign to see that out of a freshman in his MVC debut.”

 

After the Bears took a 4-3 lead in the sixth inning on back-to-back doubles by designated hitter Beau Stoker and third baseman Curt Courtwright, UE responded with three runs in the seventh inning to grab the 6-4 lead. A one-out hit-by-pitch and hit-and-run single put two runners on, and after a sacrifice bunt by freshman shortstop Eric Stamets moved the runners up 90 feet, Wallace gave UE a lead it would never lose with his two-run single. Then, Fick followed with an RBI single to complete the scoring for the afternoon.

 

Wallace produced his eighth-straight multi-hit game and extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a 3-for-5 performance at the plate, two runs scored, and three RBI. Fick also went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Second baseman Kevin Medrano went 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored to lead Missouri State offensively.

 

“Greg has really been locked in lately, and he really adds a lot to our offense when he’s going well like this,” said Carroll. “It was also great to see Cody Fick get dialed in today and have three hits. Cody can really be a difference maker for us in the middle of our lineup.”

 

The victory went to senior reliever Corey Davisson (2-1) with 1.1 innings of one-hit, scoreless relief. Missouri State starter Pat Doyle (1-5) took the loss by surrendering six runs (four earned) on seven hits in 6.2 innings of work.

 

With the victory, Evansville evens the three-game series at one game apiece, while improving to 11-13 overall and 1-1 in the Missouri Valley Conference. Missouri State, meanwhile, falls to 8-14 overall and 1-1 in the Valley with the loss. The two teams will conclude the series on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. in a game that can be heard live on 91.5 F.M.-WUEV.