The two teams scored 12 combined runs off of home runs on Friday
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Fighting for its postseason hopes, the University of Evansville baseball team earned a massive win over the Bradley Braves 12-7 on Friday afternoon.
The Purple Aces kept their postseason dreams alive this afternoon with their victory against Bradley. UE’s bats connected in every inning but the first to record 12 hits for its third straight game with 10 hits or more. Almost half of Evansville’s hits were put into play by graduate catcher Matt Flaherty (Lake Zurich, Ill. / Bellarmine), who had a perfect day at the plate, going 5 of 5 with two home runs and five RBIs.
The Aces had to work out of trouble early in the first as the defense got out of a bases-loaded jam on a pop-up to Cal McGinnis. It was a quick game from there as UE went down in order in the bottom of the first, and Bradley did the same in the top of the second. Evansville got its first hit of the afternoon in the second from Flaherty with a single to left center.
Flaherty’s single sparked the offense in the bottom of the third as the Aces scored the first runs of the game. Shortstop Drew McConnell (Blue Springs, Mo. / Blue Springs HS) began the frame with a walk. Two at-bats later, left fielder Charlie Longmeier (Seymour, Ind. / Seymour HS) put a double into left as the Braves outfield lost the ball in the sun.
Both runners came home moments later as McGinnis crushed the first pitch he saw past the right field wall for his fourth home run of the year. UE’s 3-0 lead only lasted for the rest of the third inning as Bradley was able to answer with a two-run shot of their own to begin the fourth. The home runs continued in the fourth, but this time it was Evansville who had the long balls.
Flaherty led off the frame with his fourth homer of the year on a rocket to left field. The ball left German American Bank Field at 106 miles per hour to make it a 4-2 game. The Aces’ next two batters flew out to left field, as it was McConnell who found the hot bat. The freshman put a home run out to the opposite side to give UE another three-run lead.
But the home run train wasn’t done yet as the Braves put together back-to-back home runs, getting the game back within one. Bradley tied the game up in the fifth with two outs on the board as a long single through the right side brought home the runner at second base. The Braves took their first lead of the game in the fifth as they brought in two more runs with a bases-clearing double.
Evansville erased the Bradley lead in the bottom of the fifth with one swing of the bat. The Aces got two walks in the first four batters, giving Flaherty another big hitting opportunity. And the graduate catcher came through with another home run, this time past the center field wall to put UE back up by one.
Neither side scored in the sixth as Evansville added another hit to its line. The Braves went down in order to begin the seventh while the Aces’ offense had their best offensive inning yet. UE’s first three batters all reached base as right fielder Harrison Taubert (Casper, Wyo. / Northeast CC) became the leading batter to be hit by pitches in the MVC to begin the frame.
Back-to-back singles from Rumsey and Flaherty added another run as Taubert hit the gas to get across home. First base Jake McGhee (Fenton, Mo. / Christian Brothers Academy) had a close sacrifice bunt that put both Rumsey and Flaherty into scoring position. Designated hitter Aaron Nehls (Evansville, Ind. / North HS) followed up the bunt with his first hit of the afternoon, doubling to left center and scoring Rumsey.
Evansville wasn’t done there as ninth-hole hitter Drew Howard (Ferdinand, Ind. / Forest Park HS) had his first knock of the game. Howard also found the left side hole, scoring both Flaherty and Nehls to give the Aces a five-run advantage with two outs on the board. UE loaded the bases with two walks but a strikeout from Taubert kept it at a 12-7 score.
It was a quick inning on defense for Evansville as Bradley went down in order. The Aces had another chance to extend their lead in the bottom of the eighth with the bases loaded. But UE’s next three batters went down in order, sending the game to its final frame. The Braves were able to add a run in the top of the ninth on a throwing error from McConnell as he tried to get an out at first for a double play. But Evansville held strong to earn the 12-8 win.
Reliever Kellen Roberts (Monroe, Mich. / Monroe HS) earned his first win of the season on Friday, pitching for 1.2 innings while allowing only a run with a strikeout. Closer Owen Byberg (Barrie, Ontario), in his first appearance on the mound in over a month, earned his first save with the Aces as he pitched for 2.2 innings without letting an earned run across and striking out three batters.
UE will need to win tomorrow’s regular-season finale against Bradley to make the 2025 MVC Tournament next week. Evansville will be honoring its seven seniors as well on Saturday in the program’s annual Senior Day game. First pitch from Charles H. Braun Stadium is set for 1 p.m., while Senior Day honors will begin at 12:40 p.m.
