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

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Evansville baseball team (20-16) swept a doubleheader from South Alabama (25-15) on Saturday, winning the opening game 6-5 and the final contest 9-5. The Purple Aces also won the series two games to one.
 
"What a day for us to come out and sweep," said UE head coach Wes Carroll. "Doubleheaders are tough mentally and physically. I was really proud of our guys."
 
Evansville trailed early on in game one when South Alabama scored two runs in the third inning off Aces starter Brodie Harkness. Evansville drew closer in the fourth with a run scoring double from infielder Jonathan Ramon and gained the lead with a five run sixth.  Trailing 2-1, the Aces tied the game on a throwing error and went ahead on a two run single from designated hitter Max Foley. Catcher Travis Tokarek and infielder Shain Showers both added RBI singles for the 6-2 advantage. Behind by four, South Alabama rallied for three runs in the seventh inning. Reliever Conor Gilligan held the one run lead with 1.2 innings out of the bullpen and closer Brent Jurceka left two men on in the ninth for the victory.
 
Harkness (5-2) earned the win going 6.1 innings, allowing five runs on nine hits. Reliever Cameron Cochran (1-1) incurred the loss after yielding five unearned runs in 1.0 inning pitched. Jurceka tallied his sixth save.
 
UE also struck first in game two with a four run opening frame. Outfielder Kevin Kaczmarski and catcher Billy Lipari both produced two run singles as the Aces knocked South Alabama starter Jared Gates (3-2) out of the game. UE added another two runs in the second to give starting pitcher Connor Strain a six run lead. Strain retired the first eight batters he faced and 13 of the first 15, before allowing his first hit in the fifth. Down by six, South Alabama mounted a comeback with five runs in the sixth inning as the Aces had five defensive errors in the frame. Ahead 6-5, UE scored two runs in the sixth and another in the seventh for the three run lead. Gilligan then left the bases loaded in the eighth and stranded another two men aboard in the ninth to clinch the doubleheader sweep.
 
Strain (2-4) gets the win, going 5.2 innings and giving up five runs (three earned). Gates (3-2) took the loss after allowing four runs in just 0.2 innings. Kaczmarski was 2-for-4 in the final game of the doubleheader with two runs and four RBIs, tying a season high. His sixth inning RBI triple was the 17^th of his UE career, tying Pat Schulz (1990-93) for second most in program history.
 
Outfielder Jarod Perry extended his on base streak to 36 games and hit streak to 13. Outfielder Josh Jyawook also advanced his hitting streak to 14 games. First baseman Eric McKibban, who had three hits in the final game, has reached base safely 23 games in a row.
 
The next UE home game is Wednesday, April 22 versus Northern Kentucky. First pitch is 6:00 p.m. at Braun Stadium. Adult tickets are $7 as senior/youth tickets are just $5.