The University of Evansville had a chance to take their first Missouri Valley Conference series of the season Sunday afternoon at Braun Stadium. However, Valparaiso had a similar idea, and they managed to come away with 6-1 series-clinching victory.
Sophomore reliever Nathan Croner (0-2) was pressed into the start on the hill. However, the Crusaders cashed in a pair of runs on the southpaw and loaded up the bases before he could register the second out of the opening frame. Freshman Jace Burke, who pitched a sharp ninth inning in Saturday’s 9-8 win, earning a save, came in and put out the fire.
In the top of the second, Burke ran into similar problems, uncorking a wild pitch, allowing another Valparaiso run to tally, putting the Purple Aces in a 3-0 hole.
In the bottom of the frame, senior catcher Andrew Tanous launched his fourth home run of the season over the left field fence, drawing the Aces closer at 3-1.
However, that’s all the Evansville offense could muster, as Valparaiso starter Wes Gordon (1-4) combined with reliever Hayden Kissee to keep UE off the scoreboard the rest of the games, as UE fell, 6-1.
The loss drops the Aces to 7-26 and 1-8 in the MVC, while the Crusaders improved to 14-20 and 4-5 in league play.
Evansville is back in action Wednesday, as they play host to their crosstown rivals from the University of Southern Indiana. First pitch from Charles H. Braun Stadium is at 6 p.m.
