EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – The University of Evansville baseball team came just short of a bounce-back game in its second midweek contest falling in the bottom of the ninth 12-11 to the SIUE Cougars.
The Purple Aces scored 10 runs in the first three innings of Wednesday's contest. But with only one run scored in the last two-thirds of the game, UE couldn't shut down SIUE's offense. The Cougars put together three straight hits in the bottom of the ninth to score the winning run, handing Evansville its second loss in as many days. Third baseman Drew McConnell (Blue Springs, Mo. / Blue Springs HS) and catcher Matt Flaherty (Lake Zurich, Ill. / Bellarmine) led the Aces on offense with two hits each and a combined seven RBIs.
"We didn't do enough on the back end of a double midweek to secure the win," said Head Coach Wes Carroll following the game. "We're going to have to fight as a program to get back in the win column this weekend."
UE had another quick lead in its second-midweek game in as many days. Even though center fielder Ty Rumsey (Evansville, Ind. / North HS) struck out to begin the game Evansville soon had the bases loaded without a hit. Two walks and an error with two outs on the board was the situation when Flaherty stepped up to the plate. He delivered for the Aces with a single to third base that brought home two runs.
The two runners still on base for UE after the single moved into scoring position during the next at-bat on a wild pitch from SIUE's starter. First baseman Kevin McCormick then added UE's second hit of the day with a double to third, scoring Flaherty and left fielder Charlie Longmeier to make it a 4-0 Evansville lead after the half inning. After a lead off double for the Cougars the Aces defense was able to get three straight outs, stranding the runner at second.
UE began the second inning similar to its first with two batters taking base without a hit. McConnell connected on his first of two hits Wednesday afternoon to score a run for a 5-0 Evansville lead. The Aces quickly added to their lead when Flaherty doubled to score two more runs and put himself along with designated hitter Evan Waggoner (Bedford, Ind. / North Bedford Lawrence HS) into scoring position. Waggoner crossed home for UE two batters later as third baseman Ben Stuart (Mason, Ohio / William Mason HS) reached on an error. Evansville's third out came just after, but the Aces now had an 8-0 lead.
SIUE didn't answer in the bottom of the inning as UE added another two runs in the top of the third. Rumsey avenged his earlier strikeout with a single to third base. He then quickly stole both second and third during right fielder Harrison Taubert's (Casper, Wyo. / Northeast CC) at-bat. While Taubert didn't connect McConnell had his second hit of the afternoon to drive Rumsey in. McConnell was only on base momentarily as Waggoner swung on the first pitch and doubled down the left field line, scoring the 10th Evansville run of the game.
But the Aces offense grew cold over the next three innings as the Cougars began their comeback. SIUE added eight runs in the middle frames making it only a two-run UE lead going into the top of the seventh. Evansville was able to add another run in the seventh as the first three batters reached base. With the bases loaded McConnell hit a sacrifice fly to right scoring Stuart for the 11th Aces run and the second out. Waggoner ground out in the next at-bat ending the top of the seventh.
UE held the Cougars scoreless in both the seventh and eighth innings. But Evansville also didn't find another run in the eighth or the top of the ninth. The Aces headed into the final frame of the game still holding a three-run lead. SIUE got two runners on base and scored on a sacrifice fly early in the bottom of the ninth. Three straight hits after the sac fly gave the Cougars the win as they scored three more runs for the 12-11 final.
UE gets a day off before returning to the diamond on Friday afternoon for a doubleheader with the Samford Bulldogs. The first of the two games on March 14 begins at 1 p.m. in Birmingham.
