EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Evansville baseball team won their MVC opener in dramatic fashion on Friday night, with Ryan Seddon (Joliet, Ill./St. Laurence) delivering a walk-off three-run home run to defeat Illinois State by a score of 5-2 at Charles H. Braun Stadium.
Senior right-hander Max Hansmann (Elmhurst, Ill./York) was dominant for the Aces, turning in a career-high seven innings of work, surrendering just two unearned runs in the first inning before shutting out the Redbirds over the next seven frames. Hansmann struck out four and did not allow a walk, lowering his season ERA to 4.46.
Five Aces had two hits, led by Seddon with two hits, a walk, and three RBI. Spike Magill (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Mountain Vistra) extended his on-base streak to 20 games and reached base in all five plate appearances, picking up two hits, a walk, and two HBPs.
Owen Byberg (Barrie, Ontario/Frontier CC) got the win with shutout relief appearance, tossing two shutout innings with two strikeouts. Reece Clapp took the loss for Illinois State.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Illinois State took the lead in the top of the first, capitalizing on two Evansville errors to push two runs across.
In the home half of the first, Magill and Charlie Longmeier (Seymour, Ind./Seymour) each singled to begin the inning, but Redbirds starter Thomas Harper struck out three consecutive hitters to keep the Aces off the board.
Evansville threatened again in the second, loading the bases with two outs, but were unable to cash in a run.
The Aces broke through in the fourth, with Seddon and Reagan Reeder (Ramsey, Minn./Illinois) beginning the inning with singles before advancing to second and third on a sac bunt by Simon Schulz (Evansville, Ind./Memorial). Magill cashed in on the opportunity, smacking a single to right field to drive in Seddon. Evansville created havoc on the bases to score Reeder from third, with Magill swiping second and Reeder taking home on the throw down to second, tying the score at 2.
Hansmann continued to cruise on the mound from there, allowing one base runner from the fourth inning through the seventh, his final inning of work.
Evansville nearly took the lead in the sixth, loading the bases, but a double play killed the rally.
Byberg took over on the mound in the top of the eighth and came up big, stranding a leadoff single with a strikeout before posting another zero in the ninth to keep the game tied.
Evansville's ninth inning rally began with a one out walk to Harrison Taubert (Casper, Wyo./Northeast CC), who swiped second and advanced to third on an errant throw by the catcher. After pinch hitter Aaron Nehls (Evansville, Ind./North) worked a walk, Seddon came to the plate and drove a full count pitch over the right field wall for a walk-off home run. The three-run homer marked Evansville's first walk-off win of the season.
UP NEXT
Evansville and Illinois State will play game two of the series tomorrow at Charles H. Braun Stadium as the Aces look to clinch the series. First pitch is set for 2 PM.
