EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Evansville baseball team exploded for 12 runs on 10 extra-base hits, including a school and Missouri Valley Conference Tournament record-tying eight doubles, on Friday, as the Purple Aces run-ruled the fifth-seeded UIC Flames, 12-1, at German American Bank Field at Charles H. Braun Stadium in Evansville, Indiana.
"What an outstanding effort today by our team," said UE head coach Wes Carroll. "I thought that Donovan Schultz was locked in from the start, and he really set the tone for us on the mound. Then, after he got that strikeout in the sixth inning, I knew that our bats would come alive, and they did in a big way.
"I want to thank again the city of Evansville for coming out and supporting us like they did today! The fans were really involved once again, and I feel like our team has fed off their energy all week long. Hopefully, we will see a good crowd on Saturday!"
In a game that started as a pitcher's duel, Evansville used back-to-back doubles by graduate catcher Brendan Hord and junior second baseman Cal McGinnis in the second inning, and McGinnis and junior outfielder Harrison Taubert in the fifth inning to grab an early 2-0 lead.
Graduate starting pitcher Donovan Schultz took a one-hit shutout into the sixth inning, before the Flames would get a single from shortstop Zane Zielinski and a double to left-center field by outfielder Kendal Ewell to cut UE's lead to 2-1. The Flames would eventually load the bases against Schultz in the frame on a walk and hit-by-pitch, but Schultz struck out catcher Jackson Bessette to end the threat and keep UE in the lead 2-1.
The UE offense then exploded for 10 runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to enact the mercy rule. The first seven Purple Aces in the inning reached base, as graduate third baseman Brent Widder knocked a three-run double and Hord and Taubert both launched two-run home runs. Then, after a ground out, senior shortstop Simon Scherry doubled and graduate outfielder Mark Shallenberger was hit by a pitch. Senior designated hitter Kip Fougerousse followed with an RBI double down the right-field line to give UE a 10-1 lead. Then, graduate first baseman Chase Hug produced a two-run sacrifice fly to center field to cap the scoring.
McGinnis led UE by going 3-for-3 with two doubles and a bunt single. His single was the lone single Evansville had among 11 total hits. Hord and Taubert both went 2-for-3 with a double and a home run, while Fougerousse had two doubles as well.
Schultz (5-2) earned the victory by holding UIC to just a single run on three base hits with five strikeouts. Graduate reliever Jace Kressin tossed a scoreless seventh inning to seal the victory.
With the win, Evansville improves to 33-23 overall and stands as the only undefeated team remaining in the MVC Tournament field. Evansville now plays Illinois State in the next round of the MVC Tournament. First-pitch is currently scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, as the current schedule features Southern Illinois taking on the winner of tonight's game between Indiana State and UIC at 11 a.m., then Evansville and Illinois State battling at 2:30 p.m., with a potential first championship game scheduled for 6 p.m. UE is guaranteed of playing in the 6 p.m. game on Saturday, either as an undefeated team vying for a conference tournament championship, or as a team trying to battle to force a final tournament championship game, which would be played on Sunday.
All three games can be seen live on ESPN+ and every Evansville game can be heard on 107.1 FM-WJPS. Tickets for every game of the MVC Tournament are available by contacting Logan Belz in the UE Athletic Ticket Office by phone at 812-488-2623.
