Game One Box (PDF)
Game Two Box (PDF)

EMERSON, Ga. – The University of Evansville baseball team (5-4) split a doubleheader with the Western Illinois Leathernecks on Friday afternoon. In the opener, Western Illinois scored a run in the seventh to force extras, both teams tallied a run in the ninth, and the Leathernecks won the game 4-3 in the 13th. UE responded with a 6-4 victory in the final game of the doubleheader thanks to a complete game performance for starter Matt Rodgers (2-0) and three runs batted in from both outfielder Josh Jyawook and catcher Billy Lipari.

The series, originally planned to be played in Evansville, Ind., was moved due to unplayable field conditions earlier in the week.
 
The teams began the doubleheader at 11:00 a.m. ET in a scheduled seven inning game that lasted 13. Trailing 1-0 in game one, UE tied the game in the fourth on an RBI groundout from infielder Shain Showers and took the lead in the next inning with a double play that scored a run. Down 2-1, WIU evened up the score in the seventh on a sacrifice bunt and took the lead back with a ninth inning pinch-hit single from Payton Jeffers. UE then tied the game in the bottom of the inning on a Korbin Williams infield single to third. The Leathernecks scored the would be game winning run in the 13^th on a Chris Tschida RBI single. UE's starter Connor Strain pitched 7.0 innings, yielding just two runs in the no decision. The Aces left 10 men on base in extra innings.
 
"In game one, we stranded 18 runners left on base and we just could not get the big hit," said head coach Wes Carroll. "Offensively we just couldn't come through and deliver the big hit entering extras."
 
The Aces came out swinging early in game two. Down by a run, Jyawook hit a two-run single in the second to give UE the advantage. After Western tied the game in the third, Jyawook moved the Aces ahead again with a fourth inning RBI single up the middle. Leading 3-2, Lipari extended the lead with a bases-clearing three run double in the fifth. Rodgers (2-0) overcame allowing a two-run home run in the sixth to throw a complete game and earn the doubleheader split.
 
"In game two, we came out and had two big At-bats from Jyawook, delivering three RBIs and Lipari bringing home three more," added Carroll. "That gave us a lift offensively after losing Kevin Kaczmarski in game one due to injury. We also received a great performance from Rodgers in the complete game win. That really helped us get relief to our bullpen after being stretched out in game one. "
 
Showers finished the second game 3-for-3 with three runs scored. Infielder Boomer Synek extended his on-base streak to 30 by getting aboard in both contests.
 
The two teams will meet in another scheduled doubleheader on Saturday, March 7. The first game is slated for 8:00 a.m. CT and scheduled for seven innings. The second game will begin 40 minutes after the conclusion of game one. UE will have left-hander Brodie Harkness (1-0, 5.25 ERA) on the mound in the opener and RHP Patrick Schnieders (1-0, 4.05) throwing in game two.