“Great team win tonight,” said Aces head baseball coach Wes Carroll. “We kept the bats hot from the weekend with a big 12 run inning. Hope to keep it rolling into the weekend.”
Mere days after a 15-run game on Sunday against No. 18 Tulane, which marked Evansville’s best offensive game in nearly three seasons, the Aces one-upped themselves, dropping 20 runs in the win over the Governors. The 20 runs are most scored by Evansville since a program-high 29 runs against UT Martin on March 8, 2016.
On the night, Evansville generated 20 hits with a team-high five coming from shortstop Simon Scherry, including a pair of doubles, who also recorded a team-best five RBI. Continuing an electric start to his third collegiate season, right fielder Mark Shallenberger finished just a home run shy of the cycle, going three-of-five at the plate and boosting his season average just six points off of .400.
Getting the start on the mound, Caleb Reinhardt pitched four full innings, allowing three runs and striking-out four in the win. In relief, Donovan Schultz, Nate Kujawski, Kieren Hall, and Jac Kressin combined to hold the Govs to just one run and tally 5 Ks.
What was a back-and-forth affair early was started by a two-run homer from Tanner Craig in the top of the first inning. The Aces were not able to build higher than a three-run lead over the first few innings as the Governors continued to keep themselves in it early.
Evansville broke the game wide-open in the sixth inning as the Aces struck for 12 runs as all but two players batted twice in the big inning. The 12 runs in the inning are the most by the Aces since recording 13 runs against Austin Peay more than 10 years ago on April 5, 2011.
Capping-off the contest, Evansville added three more runs in the top of the ninth to secure the 20-4 win.
The Aces go on the road this weekend for a three-game set at Northwestern, beginning with a doubleheader on Saturday at 11 AM in Evanston, Ill.
