10th-inning walk-off caps-off Aces rally to secure series sweep

EVANSVILLE – Continuing to produce timely hits, the University of Evansville baseball team rallied from three-runs down to force extras, walking-off Michigan State, 5-4, in 10 innings on Sunday afternoon at German American Bank Field at Charles H. Braun Stadium in Evansville.

“We showed a lot of fight as a team today. Our pitching staff did a special job keeping us close and not letting it get too far away,” said Aces head baseball coach Wes Carroll. “Hardman was special picking up his first win as an Ace.  We had a tough time against their starter but never gave up.  A lot of great at bats late in the game to get it tied especially Mark Shallenberger’s two-run double.  Really proud of the fight and where we are at as we get close to Valley play.”

On the mound, starter Caleb Reinhardt recorded an impressive performance, going 5.1 innings, allowing two runs, while striking-out four, keeping the deficit manageable for Evansville. In relief, Tyler Denu and Drew Dominik each allowed a run, but kept the Spartans within reach. For the final three innings of work, Evansville called on Nate Hardman and the Bloomington, Ill. native was lights out. Hardman turned-in three-straight three up, three down innings, striking-out three while not allowing a hit or walking a batter.

At the plate, after going 0-for-2 to start the day, Shallenberger recorded two important hits, ending the day with a pair of doubles and three RBI to lead the offense. The 6-7-8 batters in the lineup, Danny Borgstrom, Brendan Hord, and Eric Roberts, all recorded a hit on the day.

A quick run in the top of the second inning gave the Spartans a 1-0 lead, but the Aces responded in the bottom half of the inning to tie the game at one as Borgstrom drove a double to right center, scoring Evan Berkey. Michigan State retook the lead in the next half inning at 2-1 and its an advantage that the Spartans held onto a while.

The Spartans boosted their lead to 4-1 in the seventh, getting a double from Trent Farquhar and an RBI base hit from Mitch Jebb. It took until the eighth, but Evansville had an answer for Michigan State. After the Aces loaded the bases, Ty Rumsey drew a walk to score one and Shallenberger stepped right up to tie the game with an RBI double up the middle, scoring Roberts and Rumsey.

The dominant performance on the mound for Hardman helped Evansville force extra innings, where Hardman sat down the Spartan side in order to give the Aces a chance in the bottom of the 10th. Evansville took advantage of its opportunity following a leadoff hit by pitch for Borgstrom. Roberts than ripped a single to center, followed by another walk from Rumsey, loading the bases. Shallenberger then came to the plate, taking the first pitch for a ball before fouling one off and having another called a strike. With a 1-2 count with oen out. Shallenberger stood in and took a 94 mph pitch from the Michigan State reliever, earning first base and pushing home Borgstrom to capture the walk-off win for the Aces.

The win secures Evansville’s first series sweep of a Big Ten opponent in program history.

Evansville continues its homestand on Tuesday, welcoming Indiana to German American Bank Field at 6 PM on Tuesday evening.