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

EMERSON, Ga. – The University of Evansville baseball team (6-5) split a doubleheader with the Western Illinois Leathernecks (2-8) on Saturday afternoon. Freshman lefthander Brodie Harkness (2-0) threw 6.0 innings of one hit, eight strikeout baseball in game one as the Aces offense ignited for a 10-0 win. Western Illinois was able to rebound in the second game, winning that contest 3-0 and securing a four game split of the series.
 
"In game one, Harkness pitched outstanding," said Evansville head coach Wes Carroll. "He commanded all three pitches and kept them off balance. The hitters exploded and gave him a good cushion in that first game."
 
In the opener, the UE offense batted around in the first to score six runs. Outfielder Jarod Perry led off with a double and scored on an RBI single from infielder Boomer Synek. The Aces then added a run on a fielding error, another on a passed ball, and an additional run on a fielding error for the 5-0 advantage. Infielder Stuart Nelson capped the first inning scoring with an RBI double creating a 6-0 Aces lead. In the next inning, outfielder Josh Jyawook reached on an error to begin the frame and scored when designated hitter Max Foley followed in the next at-bat with a two-run home run. Foley's first home run of the season pushed UE in front 8-0. The lead was more than enough for Harkness who struck out four batters over the first two innings on his way to a career-high eight punchouts. Harkness retired the final 14 hitters he faced in 6.0 innings of work. Jyawook, Perry and Synek each had two runs scored in the opener.
 
In game two, Western Illinois left-hander Preston Church threw 8.0 scoreless innings on the way to a 3-0 Leathernecks win. Church held UE to just five hits and two walks as he struck out eight batters on the afternoon.
 
"Church kept us off balance the entire day," added Carroll. "To shut out our offensive lineup tells you that credit needs to go to the other pitcher. He did an outstanding job."
 
Sophomore right-hander Patrick Schnieders (1-1) made his first career start for the Aces in the final game of the doubleheader. The teams remained scoreless until the fourth when Western Illinois produced RBI doubles from Chris Tschida and Jake Moore for a 2-0 lead. Schnieders fell one out shy of a quality start, yielding two runs in 5.2 innings in the loss. Western Illinois tacked on a run in the seventh for the three run cushion. UE brought the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the inning, but a fielder's choice from Stuart Nelson left runners at first and second. The Aces stranded seven men on base in the contest. Catcher Billy Lipari was 2-for-3 in the last game, the only Ace to have multiple hits in game two.
 
Synek reached base safely in both contests, pushing his consecutive on-base streak to 32 games dating back to last season.
 
Evansville will return home on Saturday and will host Belmont on Wednesday, March 11. The game will be held at Braun Stadium with a 3:00 p.m. first pitch.