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EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Evansville baseball team (16-13, 5-5) dropped the series opener to #20 Missouri State 13-2 on Friday night. The Bears utilized an eight run second inning on their way to a mercy-rule shortened eight inning contest.
 
"Anytime you spot a quality opponent like them eight runs in an inning, you are going to have a tough time getting back into it," said Evansville head coach Wes Carroll. "It was unfortunate to have our most poorly inning pitched of the year happen here on a Friday and we couldn't get out of the hole."
 
Evansville nearly scored first in the contest. After pitcher Connor Strain left a pair of men on base in the top of the first inning, UE rallied in the bottom half. Facing Missouri State right-hander Jon Harris, outfielder Josh Jyawook led off with a single and moved to third on a two base fielding error. With two men on and no outs, Harris induced outfielder Kevin Kaczmarski into a groundout, struck out infielder Jonathan Ramon and got another groundout of first baseman Eric McKibban to end the inning unscathed.
 
The score stayed 0-0 until the third when Missouri State sent 13 hitters to the plate in an eight run inning. The number nine hitter, Justin Paulsen, worked a leadoff walk and the Bears loaded the bases for outfielder Tate Matheny. The junior hit a bases clearing double to right-center field pushing MSU ahead 3-0. Outfielder Spencer Johnson tacked on a two-run double and infielder Joey Hawkins also plated two with another single.
 
Strain (1-4) took the loss, surrendering a season-high eight runs in 2.2 innings pitched. 
 
Right-hander Brian Jestice relieved Strain, throwing a career-high tying 3.1 innings pitched. He also struck out a career-best four hitters, yielding just one run.
 
Down 8-0, UE was able to score their first run in the fifth inning. Jyawook hit a two-out double to left field and scored in the next at-bat on a single from outfielder Jarod Perry.
 
After Missouri State tallied another run in the sixth, the Aces scored again in the seventh on a single from outfielder Kevin Kaczmarski.
 
Ahead by seven, the Bears then scored four runs in the eighth inning to take the series opener 13-2. Harris (4-0) earned the win, going 7.0 innings, allowing two runs on seven hits and striking out 10 batters.
 
Jyawook tied a season-high with three hits. He also had two runs scored. Perry extended his career-long on base streak to 30 games with a 2-for-4 night. He is also on a six game hitting streak. McKibban has reached base in 17 straight games.
 
The Aces will look to tie up the weekend series with MSU on Saturday. First pitch is 2:00 p.m. at Braun Stadium. Adult tickets are $7 each as senior/youth tickets are just $5.