Freshman right-hander Sam Steimel (2-1) made his first collegiate start, and tossed a shutout opening frame. However the third inning was another story, as the Bruins hung a pair of runs on the newcomer, and another in the third, putting UE in a 3-0 hole.
The Aces would bounce back in the top of the fourth, getting on the scoreboard on freshman designated hitter A.J. Fritz’s groundout to second, bringing in senior left fielder Matthew Jones from third, making it 4-1 Evansville.
Steimel would hold Belmont scoreless in the bottom of the frame, but in the fifth, the Bruins would get that run back on a sacrifice fly. Steimel’s night would end after five innings, giving up five runs, but just two earned, on five hits.
The Evansville offense would come to life in the sixth on sophomore first baseman Tanner Craig’s fourth home run of the season. The solo home run would cut the deficit to three runs. Senior center fielder Troy Beilsmith would continue the comeback in the seventh inning, drilling a two-run homer. His fifth roundtripper of the season would draw Evansville within one at 5-4.
Fellow freshman Garrett Presko would take over for Steimel, but after tossing a scoreless sixth, Belmont would re-build their lead in the bottom of the seventh on Chandler Adkins’ solo homer. That would be the only blemish on Presko’s night. However, UE would draw no closer.
The loss drops Evansville to 23-25 on the season, while Belmont improves to 25-26. The Aces are back in action Thursday night when they wrap up the regular season on the road with the first contest of a three game series at Illinois State. First pitch from Normal is set for 5 p.m. Central Time.
