EVANSVILLE, Ind. - The University of Evansville baseball team planted their flag in the ground as a true contender in the Missouri Valley Conference by taking the series from league favorite Dallas Baptist after splitting a doubleheader Saturday at Charles H. Braun Stadium.

In game one of the twin bill, the Aces got the jump on the Patriots, with freshman second baseman Danny Borgstrom drilling a triple to the fence in right, allowing junior shortstop Craig Shepherd and senior center fielder Nate Reeder to tally the first runs of the game, making it 2-0 UE.

Meanwhile, junior starting pitcher Nathan Croner rolled through the first five innings, tossing a shutout, while striking out five DBU batters.

The Aces would add to the pad in the bottom of the fifth, as senior third baseman Sam Troyer's hot shot to third became an infield single, scoring junior right fielder Troy Beilsmith, making it 3-0.

In the sixth inning, Croner's luck runs out, as he gets tagged for a pair of homers and four runs, and the southpaw exited with one out in the frame. Freshman right hand reliever Shane Gray took over from there, putting out the fire, and shutting out Dallas Baptist the next two-plus innings, eventually earning his first collegiate victory.

Still trailing 4-3 in the bottom of the eighth, the Evansville offense erupted, sending 14 batters to the plate, scoring eight runs on six walks, an error, a hit batter and three hits. Sam Troyer had the big hit, a bases loaded three-run double, and when the smoke cleared, the Aces were had an insurmountable seven run lead.

Senior reliever Austin Allinger came out to finish the game off for UE, and while he wasn't perfect, giving up a run, the right-hander managed to close out the 11-5 victory.

In game two, the Patriots, determined to avoid a rare sweep, struck for three runs in the second inning off of senior starting pitcher Alex Weigand. DBU would tack on one more in the fourth, before the southpaw exited the game with two outs in the frame, to lead 4-0. Senior right-hander Justin Hayden came out of the bullpen in relief and held Dallas Baptist scoreless the rest of the game.

The Aces would finally get on the board in the bottom of the fourth, as Danny Borgstrom's grounded to short led to an error, scoring Craig Shepherd from third, making it 4-1 DBU.

Sam Troyer continue the UE comes back with a solo homer to left, cutting the Dallas Baptist lead to two. Then, in the seventh, Troy Beilsmith would narrow the Patriot lead to one with a bases loaded RBI single to left, bringing in senior outfielder Matthew Jones.

However, that's as close as the Aces would get, as they fall 4-3, ending their eight game winning streak.  

Evansville ends the weekend with an impressive 17-10 record and 5-1 in the Missouri Valley Conference. Dallas Baptist leaves town with a mark of 22-9 and 4-2 in MVC play.

The Aces will be back in action Tuesday night, on the road in a non-conference matchup with Austin Peay in Clarksville, Tennessee. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.

  
 

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