BOX SCORE (PDF)

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Evansville baseball team (25-18, 7-9) received two RBIs from designated hitter Max Foley, a quality start by pitcher Brodie Harkness and five outs from closer Brent Jurceka in a 4-3 series opening victory over Southern Illinois (10-37, 5-11) on Friday night. The victory was the 200^th win for Purple Aces head coach Wes Carroll and also sets UE up UE for a series win on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. CDT.
 
"It feels good to win on a Friday night, something we have not done in some time," said Carroll. "These 200 wins come with a lot of hard work from me, my staff and a lot of the players that have come through the program and represented the Aces well."
 
UE pushed ahead in the first inning. Salukis starting pitcher Chad Whitmer issued three walks to load the bases and Foley hit a two-run single to left field.
 
Up by two, Evansville extended the lead in the third. Outfielder Kevin Kaczmarski began the inning with a single, moving his hitting streak to 17 games. Kaczmarski then scored in the next at bat on an RBI double from infielder Jonathan Ramon.
 
Leading 3-0, UE received a fifth inning leadoff double by outfielder Jarod Perry and a run producing single from Eric McKibban.
 
Down by four, Southern Illinois cut the lead in half with a sixth inning single from Chase Slone and a bases loaded hit by pitch later in the frame. Harkness then induced an inning ending fielder's choice to maintain the two run lead.
 
Trailing 4-2, SIU added another run in the seventh on a Will Farmer groundout. Reliever Conor Gilligan then stranded a runner at third to keep the one run edge for UE.
 
The Salukis then threatened to tie the game in the eighth. SIU recorded a leadoff single and sacrifice bunt to begin the inning. Jurceka then allowed a single and wild pitch to put the go ahead runs in scoring position. The right-hander then proceeded to get a flyout and strikeout to keep the 4-3 lead. Jurceka also retired all three batters he faced in the ninth to secure the UE win.
 
Harkness (6-3) tossed 6.0 innings, allowing just three runs on seven hits. Whitmer (0-4) takes the loss, yielding four runs in just 5.0 innings. Jurceka tallied his eighth save.
 
Perry was 1-for-3 with a run scored and has now reached base in 44 straight games. Foley tied his career-high with two RBIs. Ramon ended the night 1-for-3 with an RBI and is currently on a six game hitting streak.
 
Game two adult tickets are $7 as senior/youth tickets are just $5.
 
For all of the latest information on Evansville baseball, log on to GoPurpleAces.com or follow the team's Twitter account @UEAcesBaseball.