With stellar starting pitching, spectacular defense and clutch hitting, the University of Evansville shutout Boston College 4-0 at the EKU Challenge in Richmond, Kentucky, Friday afternoon.
It began with junior right-hand pitcher Adam Lukas (1-1), who came out strong, pitching an efficient seven innings, striking out six, while scattering four hits and one walk. Lukas was backed up great defensive play, which twice prevented the Eagles from crossing the plate.
On offense, the Aces got on the board first in the top of the second, as sophomore first baseman Tanner Craig took the first pitch of the frame over the wall in left-center for his second home run of the season, making it 1-0 Aces.
That’s the way it would stay until the sixth, when Tanner Craig continued his big day at the plate with a one out double to left. Then, later in the inning, junior shortstop Craig Shepherd came up with a clutch with 2-out double right, giving the Aces a vital insurance run.
Then in the eighth, junior outfielder Kenton Crews led off the inning getting hit by a pitch, then a sacrifice bunt would move him into scoring position. Sophomore pinch hitter PeteVaccaro would hit a grounder to second, but a throwing error would allow Crews to score and extend the inning. The very next batter, senior outfielder Nate Reeder, would cash in with an RBI double down the right field line, scoring freshman pinch runner Eric Roberts, making it 4-0 Evansville.
Lukas would give way to freshman left-hand reliever Michael Parks, who would close out the game, striking out three while tossing two shutout frames.
The win raises UE’s record to 4-4 on the season, while the Eagles drop to 4-3. The Aces will be back in action Saturday morning, when they face the host Colonels of Eastern Kentucky at 9 am Central Time, followed by a rematch with Boston College.
