EVANSVILLE, Ind. – In the first game at German American Bank Field since February 23, the University of Evansville baseball team didn't keep up with one of the Top 15 offenses in the country.

The Purple Aces returned to their home field after 19 games away but didn't quite find the advantage in a 13-3 loss to the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. Three UE batters had a multi-hit night against WKU as shortstop Brodie Peart (Markham, Ontario) led the team, going 3-for-4 with one run scored. Catcher Matt Flaherty (Lake Zurich, Ill. / Bellarmine) was the only Evansville player to bring in multiple runs with two RBIs on two hits.

"It was a great crowd as we finally had a home game," said Head Coach Wes Carroll after the loss. "We clearly didn't compete on the mound enough to give us a chance. You have to credit WKU for how they played tonight. We are ready to get back to Valley play this weekend with competitive guys on the mound."

The Aces had a strong first inning on Tuesday night as starting pitcher Drew Fieger (Fort Mitchell, Ky. / Lincoln Trails CC) struck out the side. UE also put into play the first two hits of the game with a single from first baseman Cal McGinnis (Kimberly, Wis. / Bradley) and a double from Peart.

But it was the Hilltoppers who struck first with three runs on five hits in the top of the second. Evansville had its third hit of the night in the bottom of the second as the offense went down in order in the third. Western Kentucky added three more runs in the top of the fourth as they again connected on five hits to make it a 6-0 game.

The Aces got two runners on base in the bottom of the fourth with two hits from Peart and left fielder Charlie Longmeier (Seymour, Ind. / Seymour HS). But both runners were stranded as the next three UE batters went down in order.

Evansville had another chance in the bottom of the sixth as McGinnis led off with a single to left and took second on a wild pitch. But he was soon caught out on a double play from Peart lining out to second base. The Hilltoppers had a solo run in the top of the seventh without a hit as they had two lead off walks followed by two sacrifice at-bats.

WKU continued to grow their lead in the top of the eighth with two more runs to make it 9-0 as the Aces were potentially staring down a run-rule game. But UE was able to break the shutout in the bottom of the eighth as they loaded the bases with two free passes and a Peart single to third. It was Flaherty's second hit of the night into center field that officially ended the shutout as the single scored two runs. Evansville quickly added another run as second baseman Drew McConnell (Blue Springs, Mo. / Blue Springs HS) had a single to right field.

The Hilltoppers answered the Aces runs in the top of the ninth, scoring four more on four hits to make it a 10-run lead. UE had a promising start to the bottom of the ninth as pinch hitter Aaron Nehls (Evansville, Ind. / North HS) had a single to right field. But Western Kentucky got three outs on the next three at-bats to seal the 13-3 loss.

Evansville has its first true home stand of the season this week as they welcome the Valparaiso Beacons to Charles H. Braun Stadium over the weekend. The Aces are scheduled to play a three-game series with Valpo starting on Friday evening. First pitch from German American Bank Field is set for 6 p.m. on March 28.