Box Score (PDF)
Photo Gallery

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Starting pitcher Ryan Billo threw a season-high 7.0 innings, striking out a career-high seven batters as the University of Evansville baseball team (10-10) scored four runs in the ninth to win 4-2 at SIUE on Wednesday night.
 
Down 2-0 entering the ninth, the Purple Aces drew closer with a bases loaded walk from outfielder Kevin Kaczmarski and tied the game on a wild pitch in the next at-bat. Even at two, infielder Jonathan Ramon broke the tie with a two-run single up the middle. Reliever Brent Jurceka retired the final three batters in the bottom half to preserve Billo's performance and etch an Evansville victory.
 
"I thought out pitchers did an outstanding job today," said Evansville head coach Wes Carroll. "We just couldn't create momentum offensively early in the game. Billo stuck with us and gave us a chance in winning time. In the ninth inning, our offense finally busted through for four runs to get the win on the road."
 
Both Billo and SIUE pitching kept the game scoreless through the first six innings. The right-hander weaved around two hits in the second inning and a leadoff double in the fifth to keep the contest tied. UE also had their chances offensively. Despite having a hit in each of the first four innings, the Aces were unable to break through against SIUE starter Jarrett Bednar and reliever Brendan Miller.
 
The Cougars snapped the scoreless duel in the seventh with a pair of runs. Back to back doubles from Dustin Woodcock and Skylar Geissinger pushed SIUE ahead 1-0. An RBI single from Drew Johnson later in the frame put UE behind by two.
 
Down by a pair of runs, designated hitter Max Foley began the ninth with a walk and infielder Tyler Sullivan followed with a one out free pass. Following a strikeout, a wild pitch would move both runners into scoring position and a walk to outfielder Josh Jyawook loaded up the bases. Kaczmarski's walk inched UE within a run and a wild pitch from reliever Caleb Wilkerson tied the game. Ramon then shot a single to center field moving UE ahead.
 
After reliever Matt Rodgers (3-0) retired all three batters he faced in the eighth, Jurceka would do the same in the ninth for the 4-2 Purple Aces win.
 
Outfielder Jarod Perry was also hit by a pitch in the game, his nation-leading 16 HBP of the season. It was also Perry's 41st hit by pitch in a Purple Aces uniform, tying Alex Acheson (2007-10) for most in program history. Perry has now reached safely in 21 straight games and all 20 games this season.

First baseman Eric McKibban went 1-for-4 to extend his hitting streak to eight games. Foley, Jyawook and Ramon all produced two hits each in the win.
 
Evansville returns to Missouri Valley Conference play with a three-game weekend series at Indiana State. First pitch on Friday, March 27 is set for 5:30 p.m. CT. The next home game for the Purple Aces is Tuesday, April 7 against UT-Martin.