EVANSVILLE, Ind. - The University of Evansville baseball team jumped out a quick start on Illinois State in the series opener, however Mother Nature rained on the Purple Aces hit parade, suspending the game in the bottom of the fourth inning Thursday night at Braun Stadium.

Evansville took the lead on RBI singles from freshman first baseman Tanner Craig and senior right fielder Dalton Horstmeier in the first inning. Then in the fourth, Craig added to the pad, drilling a 2-run home run to left, followed by an RBI double by Horstmeier, making it 5-1 Aces.

Freshman starting pitcher Austin Ruesch recovered from a shaky first inning to toss three scoreless frames, striking out five batters in the process.

Lightning and rain arrived in the area in the bottom of the fourth, with UE placing runners on the corners with one out. The weather delay was called then, at 7:31 central time. The game officially suspended one hour later. 

Illinois State and Evansville will pick the game up tomorrow at noon central time at Braun Stadium, then start game two 35 minutes following the conclusion of the first game.

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