The University of Southern Indiana baseball team fell behind early and lost a rain-shortened game to the University of Evansville, 5-1, Wednesday evening at Charles H. Braun Stadium. USI watched its record go to 12-14 overall, while Evansville goes to 9-20.
The Purple Aces put on a power display with two home runs in jumping out to a 4-0 lead after three innings. Evansville scored three in the first and one in the third to get the early advantage.
USI put a tally on the scoreboard in top of the fifth, taking advantage of three Evansville errors. Senior rightfielder Cody Montgomery (Shepherdsville, Kentucky) crossed the plate with USI’s only run, scoring when junior second baseman Joe Redburn (Newburgh, Indiana) hit into a double play.
The Eagles missed a chance to get back into the game in the seventh when they loaded the bases with one out and failed to score. USI also tried to rally in the eighth when it led off the frame with a hit and a walk before the rains came and washed out the final two innings.
On the mound, junior right-hander Nick Gobert (Jasper, Indiana) received the loss for the Eagles. Gobert (0-1) allowed four runs on six hits in an abbreviated two-plus innings of work.
Sophomore left-hander Chase Partain (Evansville, Indiana) followed Gobert to the mound and had a strong outing in relief. Partain went four innings, allowing one run on two hits and striking out four batters.
The Eagles return to the friendly surroundings of the USI Baseball Field to host a four-game series with the University of Wisconsin-Parkside April 8-9. For up to date information on coverage of USI Baseball, visit GoUSIEagles.com.
USI holds a 42-27 lead over the Rangers of UW-Parkside, taking three of four last year at the USI Baseball Field after being moved from Kenosha, Wisconsin, due to weather. The Eagles have won 27 of 32 games from the Rangers since Head Coach Tracy Archuleta made the move to USI from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside.
