EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Evansville junior starter Donovan Schultz tossed six shutout innings Sunday, and fifth-year outfielder Eric Roberts and junior second baseman Kip Fougerousse both hit two-run home runs, as the Purple Aces completed a two-game sweep of visiting Purdue with a 6-4 win at German American Bank Field at Charles H. Braun Stadium in Evansville.
“Another great effort by the guys today in some challenging conditions,†said UE head coach Wes Carroll. “Donovan Schultz had a great three-pitch mix going for a dominant performance on the mound. We also delivered some timely hits, as both Eric and Kip led the way with home runs. Just a gritty performance from this club!â€
Schultz (3-1) scattered just four singles in six shutout innings, while equaling a career-high with eight strikeouts to earn his third win in a row. He did not allow a Purdue runner past second on the afternoon, and he allowed multiple base runners only once in the six-inning outing.
Roberts would stake Schultz to a 2-0 lead in the third inning, as he crushed his fifth home run of the year to right field on a pay-off pitch with two outs. Evansville then added an insurance run in the fifth inning on an RBI double to right-center field by sophomore designated hitter Evan Waggoner to grab a 3-0 lead.
Schultz would leave in the seventh inning, and the Boilermakers would score two runs against the UE bullpen to cut the deficit to 3-2. Fifth-year reliever Michael Parks would eventually come on to strike out Purdue centerfielder Mike Bolton, Jr. with the tying run at first base to end the threat in the seventh.
Evansville then responded in the bottom of the inning with another insurance run on a two-out RBI single by Roberts to move the score to 4-2. Fougerousse then blasted his fifth home run of the year to dead center field in the bottom of the eighth inning to give UE a 6-2 lead.
The insurance runs were needed, as Purdue rallied for two runs in the top of the ninth on a pinch-hit two-run double by Ty Gill to cut the lead to 6-4. With two men in scoring position and Purdue shortstop Evan Albrecht representing the potential go-ahead run, UE closer Nate Hardman got him to fly out to center field to end the contest and help UE win its fifth-straight game.
Fougerousse went 3-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored and two RBI to lead the UE offense. Roberts also went 2-for-4 with three RBI, while junior catcher Brendan Hord and sophomore centerfielder Ty Rumsey both had two hits as well. Albrecht and catcher Connor Caskenette both had two hits to lead Purdue at the plate.
With the victory, Evansville improves to 12-7 overall and the Purple Aces have now won 12 of the last 14 games overall. UE also has now won six-straight games against Big Ten competition dating back to last year. Purdue, meanwhile, sees its record even at 9-9. The two teams will conclude the season series on Tuesday, April 4 in West Lafayette, Indiana in mid-week action.
Evansville will return to the road beginning on Tuesday, as the Purple Aces will travel to Edwardsville, Illinois to take on the SIUE Cougars. First-pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.
