RICHMOND, Ky. - After early misfortune put them in an early hole, the University of Evansville baseball team demonstrated both grit and guts in holding off Boston College 4-3 at the EKU Challenge in Richmond, Kentucky, Saturday afternoon.

The Aces, who were coming off a tough 2-0 shutout at the hands of Eastern Kentucky earlier in the day, fell behind early, as back to back errors allowed the Eagles to put across the icebreaker in the top of the first.

Evansville would battle back in the top of the second, loading up the bases with one out. Junior Ben Komonosky would step up and launch a sky high sacrifice fly to right, allowing junior shortstop Craig Shepherd to race home with the equalizer. However, senior third baseman Sam Troyer would get gunned down attempting to advance to third, ending the inning.

The Aces would keep swinging and take the lead in the bottom of the third, after senior outfielder Matthew Jones led off the frame with a double down the left field line. After back to back outs moved Jones over to third, junior shortstop Craig Shepherd would deliver a clutch RBI single back up the middle, scoring Jones and giving Evansville the lead, 2-1.

UE would add to the pad in the bottom sixth, as Craig Shepherd delivered another run-scoring single, and later in the inning scored on a wild pitch, putting the Aces in the driver's seat, leading 4-1. 

That appeared to be enough for junior left-hander Nathan Croner (2-1), who overcame the tough start to pitch five straight scoreless innings. However, after getting the first two outs of the seventh  with relative ease, Boston College would rally to load up the bases and end Croner's day. The southpaw's final line was impressive, going seven-plus innings, allowing four hits, while striking out four and walking just one.

Junior right-hander Jake McMahill will take over for Croner, however back to back runs walked in would narrow the Evansville lead to one, ending his appearance prematurely. Needing an inning-ending out badly, the Aces turned to senior righty Austin Allinger. And he delivered, getting a ground out to put out the fire, with UE still leading, 4-3.

After a quiet eighth inning, Boston College would get a two out triple in their final at-bat. However, with tying run 90 feet away, Allinger got a ground out to sophomore first baseman Tanner Craig to end the game, earning Allinger his second save of the season. 

The victory raises Evansville's mark to 5-5 on the season, while dropping Boston College to 5-4.

Up next for UE is the home opener next Friday, with another Power Five squad, Iowa, coming to town for the start of a three game weekend series..