Box Score (PDF)

WICHITA, Kan. – The University of Evansville Purple Aces baseball team (27-21, 8-12) rallied late for a five run eighth inning but fell short of completing the comeback in a 10-7 defeat at Wichita State (21-29, 8-9) on Saturday afternoon. UE outfielder Kevin Kaczmarski went a perfect 3-for-3 with two doubles and four runs batted in including a three-run double that pulled the Purple Aces within a run.
 
"There is such a fine line between winning and losing," said Aces head coach Wes Carroll. "What a crazy college baseball game and  it's a shame it went to Wichita. What a hard fought battle on both sides. We just had a couple little things that did not go our way."
 
Wichita State hopped ahead early with a first inning triple from Sam Hilliard and a sacrifice fly. After both teams left the bases loaded in the second, the Shockers added to their 1-0 edge with a three run third and another run in the fourth.
 
Down 5-0, UE rallied in the fifth. Kaczmarski moved the Aces closer with an RBI double and outfielder Korbin Williams brought home another on a groundout.
 
Ahead 5-2, Wichita State gained a run back in the bottom of the fifth on a Trey Vickers single. The Shockers then loaded the bases before a lightning delay stopped the game at 1:48 p.m. CDT.  After a one hour 23 minute stoppage, reliever Ryan Billo entered the game only to allow a two-run single to Ryan Tinkham.
 
Behind 8-2, UE surged back with a handful of runs in the fifth. Designated hitter Josh Jyawook and outfielder Jarod Perry each recorded run producing singles to set up Kaczmarski for this three-run double to left field. UE nearly tied the game later in the inning but infielder Jonathan Ramon lined into an inning ending double play to end the threat.
 
Up 8-7, Wichita State tallied two more runs in the bottom of the eighth and kept UE from scoring any runs in the ninth for the series clinching win.
 
Kaczmarski is now on a 22 game hitting streak, building his nation-leading batting average to .488. His 66 career doubles ties Ryan Connors (1997-2000) for second most in program history.
 
Perry finished 2-for-5, moving his on-base streak to 49 consecutive games. Jyawook's three hits tied a season-high. Aces starter Matt Rodgers (4-1) received the loss, yielding four runs in 2.1 innings.
 
The final game of the series will be on Sunday, May 10 at 1:00 p.m. CDT. The Aces' next home game is Thursday, May 14 against Austin Peay at 6:00 p.m. 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.