After being shutout through the first three frames, the Evansville bats would shake off the slow start in the fourth inning. After loading up the bases, freshman right fielder A.J. Fritz got the Aces on the scoreboard with a single through the left side of the infield, bringing in junior shortstop Craig Shepherd. Later in the inning, junior center fielder Troy Beilsmith skied a sacrifice fly to left, bringing in senior designated hitter Nate Reeder, cutting the deficit to one. Freshman first baseman Tanner Craig made a bid to knot the game up on a fly-out to center by senior left fielder Matthew Jones, but would get thrown out on a play at the plate.
In the bottom of the frame, Nathan Croner had his bid for a third shutout inning in a row ended, as Valpo would tag him for three runs. The junior southpaw’s day would end after four frames, giving up six runs, four earned, on hits, while striking out three.
Freshman right-hander Shane Gray would take over in the fifth and toss four scoreless frames, allowing only one hit while striking out a pair. However, the Evansville offense couldn’t close the gap, as they fell in game one of the twin bill 6-2.
Game two would see the Aces once again fall behind early, as fifth-year senior right-hander Justin Hayden (2-1) gave up a first inning on a sacrifice fly in the opening frame.
However, that would be Hayden’s only misstep in the early going, as he would respond by tossing five straight scoreless innings.
Still trailing 1-0 in the sixth, Troy Beilsmith would not the game up on a sacrifice fly to left, tallying Nate Reeder for the equalizer.
Knotted at one in the seventh, the Aces bats erupted. Senior third baseman Sam Troyer would give Evansville its first lead of the game, lifting a single to left, bringing in freshman second baseman Danny Borgstrom for the go-ahead tally. Nate Reederwould follow that up with a two-run double down the right field line, scoring both junior catcher Ben Komonosky and Troyer, putting UE up 4-1.
Valparaiso would get one back in the bottom of the inning, finally getting the Hayden, and he fifth year senior would give way to freshman sensation Michael Parks. For the day,
Hayden went 6.2 innings, allowing two runs on seven hits, while striking out a pair.
As for Parks, he was once again dynamite out of the bullpen, shutting out the Crusaders the rest of the way, allowing one hit, while striking out a pair in the 4-2 Evansville victory.
The victory improves Evansville’s overall record to 21-19 and 8-4 in the Missouri Valley Conference, Valparaiso dropped to 9-29 overall and 2-10 in league play.
Up next for the Aces is a Wednesday night home date with Belmont. First pitch from Charles H. Braun Stadium is at 6 p.m.
