The Purple Aces’ freshman had a big day at the plate
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – It was a back-and-forth game through eight innings on Saturday afternoon. But a big ninth inning on offense for the Belmont Bruins handed the University of Evansville a 12-8 loss.
The Purple Aces headed into the final inning of Saturday’s game with a two-run lead, looking to tie the series against Belmont. But the Bruins had a seven-run ninth inning to take the series win on Saturday afternoon. UE had 10 hits on the day from seven different batters for an improved offensive performance from Friday. Three Evansville batters led the team with two hits each in catcher Matt Flaherty (Lake Zurich, Ill. / Bellarmine), designated hitter Evan Waggoner (Bedford, Ind. / Bedford North Lawrence HS), and infielder Drew McConnell (Blue Springs, Mo. / Blue Springs HS)
“It was a poorly managed game,” said Head Coach Wes Carroll following the loss. “To fall apart like that in winning time is on me. We need to salvage the weekend tomorrow with a win.”
It was an even game early as the two teams almost matched one another in the first and second innings. Both teams had a hit but stranded a runner in the first. While each team scored two runs in the second inning, with at least one homer. Belmont took the lead first with a solo shot to begin the inning and scored on a single five at-bats later.
On the opposite end, the Aces scored their first two runs on two separate solo home runs. Freshman infielder Jake McGhee (Fenton, Mo. / Christian Brothers Academy) recorded his first career home run in a UE uniform by going yard over the right field wall. Only two at-bats later, McConnell put his third homer of the season in almost the exact same spot.
The offense slowed down over the next three and a half innings as neither team scored a run until the sixth inning. The team’s starting pitchers, Evansville sophomore Kevin Reed (Martinsville, Ind. / Martinsville HS) and Bruins sophomore Zane Brown, dealt through the fifth. Pitching six innings, Reed scattered six hits and only allowed the two runs to score while striking out three batters for the Aces.
Brown was not as lucky as UE had a four-spot in the bottom of the sixth, forcing the reigning MVC Pitcher of the Week to exit midway through the frame. Infielder Cal McGinnis (Kimberly, Wis. / Bradley) was the first Evansville player to score as he walked to lead off the half inning. McGinnis was brought home on a double from designated hitter Evan Waggoner (Bedford, Ind. / Bedford North Lawrence HS).
The Aces’ next five batters all reached base with two singles, two walks, and a fielder’s choice to score three more runs, giving UE a 6-2 advantage after two-thirds of the game. Belmont was able to answer immediately by tying the game up in the seventh with three runs on four hits off Evansville senior reliever Drew Fieger (Fort Mitchell, Ky. / Lincoln Trail CC). The Aces were able to retake the lead in the bottom of the inning with another pair of runs on two singles from catcher Matt Flaherty (Lake Zurich, Ill. / Bellarmine) and McConnell and two walks.
UE held onto the 8-6 lead through the eighth as a double play on defense took down the Bruins in order. A batter made it on base for Evansville in the bottom of the eighth but wasn’t able to score to give the Aces any more insurance. Belmont tied up the game in only two at-bats in the top of the ninth with a single followed by a home run to make it 8-8 with no outs on the board.
The Bruins’ offense cruised through their lineup at the top of the ninth, batting all the way through their order and then some. Belmont overtook UE in the final inning with eight hits, two walks, and a fielder’s choice to score seven runs. Evansville faced a 13-8 deficit going into the final frame of the day. Waggoner led off with his second double of the afternoon to right center. But the Aces’ next three batters went down in order, falling to the Bruins by five runs.
UE will try to take a game from Belmont on Sunday afternoon in the rubber match. Evansville will have junior right-hander Max Hansmann (Elmhurst, Ill. / York HS) on the mound to try and earn the win. First pitch for the series finale between the two teams is set for 1 p.m. at Charles H. Braun Stadium.
