SPRINGFIELD - In the Aces highest-scoring night since 2016, the University of Evansville baseball team started producing runs in bunches early on and never let up in a 21-2 run-rule victory over Dallas Batpist in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament on Friday night in Springfield, Mo.

"Remarkable performance from our club tonight," said Aces head baseball coach Wes Carroll. "So proud of Nick Smith battling through this past week to get prepared for this game. Our offense was relentless throughout and Tanner Craig had a memorable performance. Can't wait to get back on the field tomorrow with this special group."

The aforementioned Nick Smith got the start on the mound, just one week removed from throwing just 14 pitches and exiting with an injury against Valparaiso last Friday. Smith pitched admirably, allowing just one run on five hits with four punchouts in four innings of work. On in relief, Shane Harris struck-out three in one inning of action with two hits allowed and Michael Parks pitched the final two innings with one run allowed and three Ks recorded.

A record-setting day saw an explosive offensive effort from the Aces, scoring 21 runs and setting the record for most runs scored at Hammons Field, which was set in the previous game when Missouri State racked-up 19 runs. Four Aces finished with three-or-more RBI on the evening with Eric Roberts leading the way with six RBI, while Tanner Craig finished with five RBI. Craig did much of his damage with the long ball, smashing two homers in the game, his second multi-home run game of the season.