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EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Evansville baseball team (16-14, 5-6) rallied from a four run deficit to force extra innings but #20 Missouri State scored two runs in the 10^th inning for a 7-5 win on Saturday afternoon.
 
"I knew our team was going to fight and they found a way to create some opportunities with some quality at bats," said Evansville head coach Wes Carroll. "Unfortunately, when we got in those positions we struck out. Having 15 strikeouts on the day in unacceptable and you can't expect to win a Missouri Valley Conference game when you strike out that many times."
 
The Purple Aces took the lead early when infielder Shain Showers brought home outfielder Jarod Perry on a first inning RBI single. The 1-0 edge was short-lived though as Aces starter Patrick #Schnieders# yielded a go-ahead two-run home run to first baseman Justin Paulsen in the third. Ahead by a run, Missouri State plated another run later in the inning. Outfielder Kevin Kaczmarski lost a ball in the sun for a two-base error, and outfielder Tate Matheny hit a sacrifice fly for the 3-1 advantage.
 
After the Bears scored two more runs in the fourth, Schnieders kept the game close. Trailing 5-1, the sophomore right-hander retired the last seven hitters. He took the no decision, pitching 6.0 innings, allowing five runs on five hits. Schnieders also struck out a career-high six batters.
 
Down by four, UE chipped away at the deficit with a sixth inning RBI single from Eric McKibban. Evansville then drew closer with another two runs in the seventh. A single by Kaczmarski made the score 5-3 and a sacrifice fly from Showers pulled UE within one. Trailing 5-4, the Aces built a two-out rally with a walk from infielder Stewart Nelson and a single from outfielder Josh Jyawook. After the base hit was bobbled by Matheny in center field, Nelson scored from third with the tying run.
 
UE reliever Matt Rodgers kept Missouri State from scoring any runs in his 2.2 innings of work and right-hander Brent Jurceka recorded the final out in the ninth to send the game to extras. In the 10^th, left fielder Spencer Johnson led off the frame with a single and was lifted for pinch runner Matt Dezort. After two consecutive batters were retired, outfielder Blake Graham was hit by a pitch and Paulsen walked. With the bases loaded and two outs, infielder Dylan Becker hit a go-ahead two run single to right field for the lead. Reliever Bryan Young (4-0) retired all three batters he faced in the ninth, pitching the last 3.0 innings in the 7-5 Bears victory.
 
The 15 strikeouts for UE is a new season high. Showers and Perry tallied two hits each in the contest. Perry moved his on-base streak to 31 games as Jyawook has now hit safely in eight straight games.
 
The Aces will look to avoid a sweep in the series finale on Sunday, April 12. First pitch is 1:00 p.m. at Braun Stadium. Adult tickets are $7 each as senior/youth tickets are just $5.