Box Score

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The University of Evansville baseball team won its third straight game Wednesday night, overcoming the Western Kentucky University Hilltoppers, 7-2, at Nick Denes Field. The victory improves the Aces record to 7-5 in the young season.

“Ryan Billo, Zach Taylor, and Josh Biggs really threw a great game for us with great defense behind them,” said head coach Wes Carroll. “All and all it was a good team effort tonight. Hopefully we can keep the momentum going this weekend.”

Sophomore Ryan Billo (1-0) earned the win tossing six innings, limiting the Hilltoppers to two runs, one earned, five scattered hits, two walks, while striking out four. Out of the pen, senior Zach Taylor threw the seventh and eighth frames, giving up just one hit, one walk, and struck out two, keeping WKU off the board. Junior Josh Biggs wrapped up the midweek win, closing the ninth.

Six Aces recorded hits in the win, led by Chris Pearson’s 1-for-3 performance with two runs batted in and a run scored.

Leading off the bottom of the first, WKU’s Jared Andreoli lined a single to centerfield, advanced to third following a hit batter and sacrifice bunt, and scored on a sacrifice fly, giving the Hilltoppers an early 1-0 head start.

However, the Aces answered back in the third, scoring two runs to take control the rest of the way. Kevin Kaczamarski reached base on a leadoff walk, moved up to second on a wild pitch, and scored on sophomore Jake Mahon’s RBI single to right field. Advancing to second on a Tim Bodine’s sac bun and to third on another wild pitch, Mahon crossed the plate on Stamets’ single for a 2-1 lead.

Evansville doubled its output in the fourth, taking advantage of a sloppy defensive frame by the Hilltoppers. Leading off with a walk, Kyle Pollock advanced to second when Pearson was hit by a pitch, and moved to third following a throwing error by the catcher. Kaczmarski walked to load the bases with no outs, and Bodine’s fielder’s choice scored Pollock. The Aces stretched their lead to three runs when Pearson crossed the plate following an errant throw on a failed pickoff attempt at first to make the score 4-1.

Western Kentucky took one run back in the bottom of the inning when Adam Lavelle reached on a single and scored on a sac fly.
The Aces tacked on another run in the eighth, expanding the lead to 5-2. Jason Hockemeyer and Pollock strung back-to-back singles together to lead off the frame, moved up on a sacrifice bunt, and advanced another bag on a wild pitch, bringing Hockemeyer home.

UE capped the night with two insurance runs in the ninth, when Trentt Copeland doubled down the left field line and Pollock walked, setting up Pearson’s two-out two-run triple, also ripped down the left field line.

Starter GJ Strauss (0-1) took the loss for the Hilltoppers, tossing three innings, giving up two runs on two hits, three walks, and struck out two.

The Aces are back in action this weekend, traveling to Tennessee Tech for a three-game series, Friday-Sunday. First pitch Friday is set for 3:00 p.m. CT.