Box Score

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Sophomore Cole Isom’s complete-game gem steered the University of Evansville baseball team to a 4-1 victory over the visiting Wichita State University Shockers Friday evening at Braun Stadium. The victory improved the Aces’ record to 21-13 on the season and 5-5 in the Missouri Valley Conference, while the Shockers fell to 21-16 overall and 4-3 in the MVC.

Throwing a no-hitter into the seventh inning, Isom (2-4) was not impacted by the hour and a half rain delay prior to first pitch, allowing just one run, three scattered hits, two walks, and struck out a career-high 11 batters.

Freshman Kyle Pollock led UE’s bats, going 2-for-2 with a walk and run scored, while Kevin Kaczmarski (1-for-3) and Chris Pearson (1-for-4) drove in two runs apiece.

Wichita State threatened to score first in the second inning, loading the bases with one out after a fielding error, walk, and hit batter, but Isom fought to get out of the frame, forcing a popup and struck out the last Shocker to give the Aces momentum through the rest of the game.

Evansville took the lead in the bottom of the fourth when Jake Mahon reached on a hit by pitch and Pollock lined a single to left field. Moving up on Kaczmarski’s sac bunt, Pearson drove in both runners on a line shot to right centerfield for a 2-0 advantage.

The Aces doubled their output in the eighth as Wichita State starter Josh Smith walked Tim Bodine and Eric Stamets, back-to-back, and Kaczmarski tagged reliever TJ McGreevy for a two-run double down the right field line with one out.

Looking to complete the shutout in the ninth, Dayne Parker played spoiler with a leadoff home run over the left field wall. However, Isom settled down to retire the next three batters and secure the victory.

Smith (4-2) took the loss for WSU, throwing seven innings, allowing four runs, five hits, three walks, and struck out five.

The Aces look to capture their first series win over Wichita State since 2006 Saturday at 2:00 p.m. CT.