Aces deliver walk-off win over Illinois State with five-run bottom of the ninth

EVANSVILLE – It was another magical night at The Braun as the University of Evansville baseball team delivered a five-run rally in the ninth inning to walk-off with a victory over Illinois State on Friday evening at German American Bank Field at Charles H. Braun Stadium in Evansville.

“What an incredible comeback from our team. We have the ability to stack quality at bats and that’s what showed up in the 9th,” said Aces head baseball coach Wes Carroll. “Shane Gray and Drew kept it just close enough. Just a special start to the weekend.”

On the mound, Shane Gray got the start, pitching six innings and limiting the Redbirds to three runs on eight hits, while striking-out seven. In relief, Drew Dominik came on to earn his third win in as many appearances, pitching the final three innings, allowing just one run on two hits and firing five Ks without a walk.

The middle of Evansville’s order powered the Aces on the night with Brent Widder, Simon Scherry, and Chase Hug each record a pair of hits on the night.

Offense was limited for both sides in the first four innings with Illinois State scraping across a run in the second representing the only run scored by either side in the first four frames. A tight contest much of the early portions of the game, a pair of solo home runs from Illinois State’s Jake McCaw and Nick Gile, who launched back-to-back shots in the fifth inning to give Illinois State a 3-0 lead.

A strong performance started by Shane Gray was continued over the final three innings by Drew Dominik. In three innings of action, Dominik allowed his only run of the contest on an RBI single by the Redbirds that lifted the visitor’s advantage to 4-0. In the bottom half of the ninth, Evansville’s rally was sparked by Brendan Hord reaching first on an errant throw from Illinois State. Followed by a base hit from Eric Roberts, the Aces saw consecutive batters retired, putting the Redbirds just one out away from a series-opening win. Tanner Craig preserved the chance for Evansville, ripping a double deep to left that scored Hord and pushed UE within three runs of Illinois State. Widder followed suit with a single to left, scoring another run. After a Redbird pitching change, Scherry worked a walk to load the bases and Evan Berkey did the same, pushing home a run and narrowing the Redbirds’ lead to just one at 4-3. Proving to provide clutch hits when the Aces have needed them, Chase Hug delivered for Evansville, driving a 1-1 pitch through the left side, scoring Widder to tie the game. Scherry was sent home, rounding third and sliding home safely to win the game as the throw missed the line as UE captured the 5-4 win.

Evansville continues its series with Illinois State on Saturday at 2 PM for Kids Day at German American Bank Field at Charles H. Braun Stadium, featuring free admission for kids, inflatables, free t-shirts, and popsicles.