Box Score
EVANSVILLE, Ind. –  The University of Evansville softball team posted a 9-0 run-rule victory over  Southern Illinois in tonight’s game, marking the first time that the Aces have posted a mercy-rule win over the Salukis since an 8-0 win in the 2003 Missouri Valley Tournament.

With the win, the Aces spoil the series sweep by Southern Illinois, finishing with a 1-2 record against the Salukis after dropping a pair of games in last week’s doubleheader.  

Freshman Kayla Fortner was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with a pair of doubles and a home run on the night, marking her fifth round-trip hit of the year. Fortner tallied five RBI and two runs scored in the win. Junior Brianna Villanueva went 2-for-2 from the right side, notching an RBI and a run scored against the Salukis.

As a team, the Aces finished the night with eight hits, with junior Tamara Robeysenior Maggie Little and freshman Victoria Dellorto each chipping in a single hit at the plate.  

Junior pitcher Sarah Patterson was lights out on the mound, allowing just four hits and striking out three as she held the Salukis scoreless en route to a five-inning shutout victory. The effort marked the 12^th complete game for Patterson, who improves to 8-15 on the year.

The Aces (14-31), now improve to 5-16 in the Missouri Valley Conference as they continue to fight for a bid to the MVC Tournament on May 10. Evansville will continue a five-game homestand tomorrow with a doubleheader against Austin Peay before resuming Valley play with a three-game home series against Drake this weekend. Wednesday’s games against the Governors is set to start at 5:00 p.m.

Game Recap:
Fortner blasted a towering shot over the score board in the bottom of the first to give UE an early 1-0 lead.

Villanueva started the bottom of the third with a single up the middle before moving to second on a sacrifice bunt by sophomore Katie Sears. Pinch-hitter junior Alicia Betancur worked a four-pitch walk from reliever Alyssa Wunderlich to put runners at first and second for Fortner. A wild pitch moved both runners up a bag before Fortner sent a line drive to the centerfield fence, scoring both runners on the double. Senior Amy Gaertner reached first on a full-count walk to put runners at first and second before the Salukis made their second pitching change of the inning, bringing in Brittany Lang with one out on the board. Senior Maggie Little then hit a hard liner right at Jayna Spivey at second base, who was able to throw out Fortner at the bag to turn the double play and end the inning with the Aces leading 3-0.

The Aces broke the game open in the bottom of the fourth, as Dellorto started the game with a walk before sophomore Niki Rahming reached safely on an infield error. Junior Halie Malone attempted a sacrifice bunt, but a throwing error by Wunderlich allowed both Dellorto and Rahming to score as Malone was able to go all the way to third base on the error. Villanueva followed with her second hit of the game, singling to right field to bring in pinch-runner Mariah Ferguson and put the Aces up 6-0. Sears replaced Villanueva at first as a fielder’s choice marked the first out of the inning. Robey roped an infield single to put runners at first and second for Fortner, who then belted her second double of the game to score both runners safely, as UE extended its lead to 8-0. A ground out by Gaertner put two outs on the board, but Little came through with a two-out single to bring home Fortner before the inning finally came to a close.

Patterson was able to preserve the shutout with a three-up, three-down inning in the top of the fifth as the Aces secured the win in five innings.