Box Score

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – On Senior Day at Braun Stadium, the University of Evansville baseball team closed out their home schedule in a positive fashion, downing Creighton University, 10-1, Sunday afternoon. The victory prevented a series sweep and improved the Aces’ record to 28-19 overall and 7-10 in the Missouri Valley Conference, while the Bluejays fell to 35-13 on the year and 12-6 in the MVC.

Senior Cody Fick (7-3) led Evansville all around, pitching the complete game, allowing a run, just five scattered hits, five walks, while striking out five. At the plate, Fick went 2-for-4 with a double and three runs batted in. Classmate Shawn Kuester also had a spectacular day in front of his family and friends, going 3-for-3 with three runs scored and an RBI, while senior Jared Baehl had two hits and three RBI and and Ryan Oesterle also recorded two hits and scored two runs.

Seniors Fick, Baehl, Oesterle, Kuester, Ty Legan, Nate Smith, and Greg Wallace were honored in on-field ceremony before the game.

After losing 2-1 in 12-innings as well 4-0 in the nightcap yesterday, momentum looked to still be in favor of the Jays as Creighton scored first in the top of the second inning. With one out, Fick walked Anthony Bemboom and Scott Thornburg followed with an RBI double to left field, giving CU a 1-0 lead. However, that was all Fick would allow the Bluejays the rest of the way, forcing Creighton to leave eight runners on base in the game, including leaving four stranded at third.

Evansville took the lead for good in the bottom of the third when Kuester laid down a bunt single, sophomore Eric Stamets walked, and Wallace was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Fick took advantage, singling through the left side and plating Kuester and Stamets for a 2-1 lead.

In the fourth, the Aces batted around the order, starting with Oesterle’s, Legan’s, and Kuester’s back-to-back-to-back infield singles to the left side. With bases loaded, Stamets grounded to third baseman Chance Ross who tried to get Oesterle out at home but had a wild throw that allowed UE to score and continue on with still no outs. Reliever Brandon Koenigstein walked Wallace, which allowed Legan to trot home. Fick picked up another RBI, hitting a sacrifice fly to left field that plated Kuester, and Baehl and junior Trentt Copeland kept the rally alive with consecutive RBI singles to left field before the Jays were able to get out of the inning with a double play. The five-run inning put UE up 7-1.

Evansville scored again in their next at-bats as Oesterle led off again with a single and advanced to second on Legan’s sacrifice bunt. Kuester drove him home on a single down the right field line, giving the Aces a seven-run cushion.

In the eighth, UE neared the 10-run mercy rule limit, scoring two runs. Reliever Nick Musec walked leadoff hitter Kuester, and with one out Wallace singled to right field, setting up Baehl’s two-out two-run single to left field.

Starter Greg Hellhake took the loss for Creighton, throwing two and a third innings, giving up two runs, two hits, two walks, while striking out four.

The Aces have just four games left in the regular season before heading to Creighton’s home in Omaha, Neb. for the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. UE travels to SIU Edwardsville on Tuesday, then hits the road to Illinois State for games on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.