Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - In a weather-caused double-header, the University of Evansville baseball team created opportunities late, but could not capitalize them in a 5-3 loss in game one and a 7-6 loss in game two to Tennessee Tech on Saturday in Cookeville, Tenn.

Both games evolved similarly with the Aces gaining early leads and the Golden Eagles rallying late to go in front.

Game One: Tennessee Tech 5, Evansville 3

In its season-opener, Evansville got its offense going early by way of a solo shot by senior Tanner Craig to left center that gave the Aces a 1-0 lead in the third. Tennessee Tech answered an inning later as Jason Hinchman hit a homer for the Golden Eagles to tie the game at one in the bottom of the fourth. 

Senior Nathan Croner commanded well on the mound, pitching five innings, allowing five hits, and just one earned run.

The sixth and seventh innings saw two more solo shots for the Aces as senior Troy Beilsmith gave the Aces the lead again in the top of the sixth on a home run to left center. Craig smashed his second dinger of the game in the top of the seventh, sending another one to left center, increasing Evansville's lead to two at 3-1.

Answering Craig's call, Hinchman hit his second homer of the afternoon for the Golden Eagles in the bottom of the eighth to edge TTU back within a run. Later in the eighth, it was Paul Steffensen who provided a game-changing three-run home run that provided TTU with their first lead at 5-3.

Evansville wasn't done threatening as the Aces had plenty left to say in the top of the ninth. After an inning-opening out, Evansville loaded the bases with just one out. Despite threatening to tie or take the lead in the top of the ninth, the Golden Eagles induced back-to-back foul outs to end the game with a 5-3 win.

Game Two: Tennessee Tech 7, Evansville 6

Much like the first game of the day, the Aces opened the game with the lead. Evansville jumped on the scoreboard early with a run scored by Beilsmith on a wild pitch. The Aces added to their lead in the top of the second as senior Craig Shepherd singled to send home freshman Max Malley.

Starter Shane Gray got through the opening three innings unscathed helping to hold the advantage at two for Evansville going into the fourth. 

In the fourth inning, TTU struck back at Evansville, as the Golden Eagles scored three in the fourth frame on a two-RBI single and a sacrifice fly to take a 3-2 lead.

Evansville moved back in front in the fifth inning as Shepherd recorded his second RBI of the game with a sacrifice fly that scored freshman Brent Widder, chasing the Golden Eagles' starter. Newcomer Mark Shallenberger provided a go-ahead run in the fifth with two outs, singling and sending in Tanner Craig.

Tennessee Tech answered in the fifth with an RBI to right center, knotting the game at four. As was true in the first game, the long ball doomed Evansville in game two with Brett Roberts hitting a two-run homer that pushed the Golden Eagles ahead, 6-4.

As was also true in game one, Evansville did not away late in game two. Junior Evan Kahre provided a run for the Aces with one out in the eighth inning, scoring Danny Borgstrom on a single and cutting TTU's lead to one. 

In the bottom of the eighth, TTU answered the Aces, as a leadoff home run by Luke Jones regained a two-run lead for the Golden Eagles.

The Aces created chances in the top of the ninth when they needed them the most. Evansville loaded the bases with two outs, eventually scoring a run on a fielding error as Widder scored to put the Aces just one run down. With the bases still loaded, Evansville was unable to capitalize on the opportunity, striking out to end the contest.

Next Up

Evansville closes the three-game set with Tennessee Tech on Sunday with a single game at 1 PM in Cookeville, Tenn.
 

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