Three Aces homer in 4-3 loss to Bradley

Korbin Williams hit his third home run in two days and two of his teammates would also leave the park, but the University of Evansville baseball team was otherwise unable to score as the Purple Aces dropped a 4-3 decision to Bradley at Charles H. Braun Stadium.

“We were trying to play catch-up from the very start today, and we just couldn’t get past their starter,” UE head coach Wes Carroll said. “He did an absolutely fantastic job. We didn’t really get anything going until the last inning, and then we couldn’t deliver the big hit. We have to be ready tomorrow, and it will be a big opportunity for us in the grand scheme of things. It’s a chance to win a second series in Missouri Valley play, and that could be pivotal for us.”

Williams, who hit a walk-off homer in Friday’s win over the Braves, found himself in a similar position Saturday. The Newburgh native had already opened the Aces (19-14, 3-2 MVC) scoring with a second-inning blast, and he represented the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth once again. He would make contact once again, as BU shortstop Tyler Leffler dropped a pop fly to put two runners on for UE, but Braves closer Nathan Stong bounced back with back-to-back strikeouts to end the threat and hand UE its first loss in five games.

UE starting pitcher Brandon Gomer was pegged with the loss after allowing all four runs over the game’s opening five innings. He gave up four hits and struck out four in the contest while dropping to 1-4 on the season.

Meanwhile, his BU (16-13, 2-2 MVC) counterpart, Cameron Roegner tossed 8.1 innings while allowing six hits without issuing a walk. He moved to 4-3 on the season.

After pushing three runs across in the first frame, Williams cut the deficit to two with his homer, but the Braves responded immediately by scratching across a score in the third to make in 4-1.

Billy Lipari and Trey Hair would follow in the fifth and sixth, respectively, with solo round-trippers, but that would be it for UE as the team finished the game with six hits.

The Aces will return to action on Sunday with a rubber game against BU, and first pitch is slated for 1 p.m.