The Aces raced out to a big lead on the Redbirds, led by senior center fielder Troy Beilsmith, who hit a pair of home runs, to take the team lead in round trippers with seven. For the night, Beilsmith went 4-for-6 from the plate, driving in four runs, while scoring three time himself. Sophomore first baseman Tanner Craig and junior catcher BenKomonosky were alo part of the power parade, with Craig hitting his fifth of the season, while Komonosky blasted the first of his Evansville career.
Meanwhile, senior right-hand pitcher Justin Hayden combined with the defensive exploits of freshman second baseman Danny Borgstrom. among others, to hold the potent Illinois State lineup scoreless through the first six frames.
Leading 11-0 in the bottom of the seventh, a pair of singles would end Hayden’s night, and the Redbird offense would ignite for eight unanswered runs on the UE bullpen, cutting the Aces lead to just three headed to the final frame.
In the ninth, Evansville turned to senior closer Austin Allinger, who delivered, striking out a pair and sealing his sixth save of the season.
The victory improves the Aces’ overall record to 24-26 and 11-9 in Missouri Valley Conference play, while the loss drops ISU to 31-22 overall and 13-7 in MVC play.
The regular season and series finale is Saturday back at Normal’s Duffy Bass Park, with the first pitch moved up to 12 p.m. central time, due to inclement weather predicted in the area later in the afternoon.
TYRONE MORRIS
