The Evansville Otters committed three errors in the bottom of the fifth inning allowing the Schaumburg Boomers to take the lead en route to a 5-1 loss in game three of the Frontier League Division Series. 

In the first four innings, it was largely a pitcher’s duel. Felix Baez held the Boomers off the board and worked out of a bases loaded jam in the first inning. Kagen Hopkins gave up the lone run in his outing. 

Evansville opened up the scoring early in the game against Hopkins with an RBI single from Christopher Riopedre to score Alejandro Segovia. It was the only run the offense could muster.

In the fifth, things took a turn for the worst against the Otters. After Baez hit Andrew Brodbeck and walked Kyle Ruchim to start the frame, John Holland attempted to lay down a sacrifice bunt. However, Baez threw it into right field allowing Brodbeck and Ruchim to score. On the same play, Jeff Gardner overthrew Kolten Yamaguchi at home allowing Holland to score.

In the same inning, David Harris reached second base on an error by Ryan Long on a dropped fly ball in left field. Sean Godfrey scored Harris on an RBI double to make it 4-1.

 Schaumburg added on a run in the eighth inning on a squeeze play from Godfrey that scored Josh Gardiner for a 5-1 lead and eventual final.

The Otters outhit the Boomers eight hits to six in the effort. However, Boomers pitching walked only two batters all night and struck out five to give the Boomers the game three victory.

Baez took the loss for the Otters going five innings surrendering four runs, two of which were earned, on four hits. Baez also struck out seven and walked five.

The Otters and Boomers will return to action tomorrow in game four of the FLDS. For Evansville, it is must win game with a loss eliminating them from postseason play.

First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m. at Schaumburg Boomers Stadium.

Fans can listen on 91.5 WUEV with Lucas Corley providing play-by-play coverage.

 

The University of Southern Indiana men’s soccer team was shutout by the University of Missouri-St. Louis, 2-0, Friday night in St. Louis, Missouri. The Screaming Eagles fall to 2-1-0 overall and 0-1-0 in the GLVC, while UMSL sees its record go to 1-1-1 overall and1-0-0 in the league.

The Tritons scored one goal in the first half and one in the second half for the win. The Eagles could not get the offense rolling with six shots overall, two on-goal. USI had only one advantage on the stat page, leading, 6-3, in corner kicks.

The Eagles will remain in St. Louis to finish the first weekend of GLVC play when they visit Maryville University for a 2:30 p.m. contest Sunday. Maryville went to 3-0-0, 1-0-0 GLVC after posting a 5-0 shutout of Bellarmine University at home this afternoon.

USI has been dominating in the all-time series with Maryville, 7-1-1, and winning seven in a row over the Saints. The Eagles defeated the Saints last year in double-overtime, 2-1, on goals by sophomore midfielder Sean Rickey (Columbia, Indiana) and sophomore defender Justin Brooks (Fishers, Indiana).

Junior forward Sara Osinski scored a goal in the 72nd minute as the University of Evansville women’s soccer team slipped past Miami (Ohio), 1-0, on Friday evening at Arad McCutchan Stadium.

Through the first 45 minutes of action, Evansville out-shot the Redhawks, 5-3, with three coming on frame. In goal, freshman goalkeeper Michaela Till made a pair of saves to preserve the scoreless tie at the half.

The second half continued the trend as both teams struggled to put shots on-goal. The Aces found their breakthrough in the 72nd minute as Osinski settled the ball at the top right corner of the box. The Noblesville, Indiana native fired a shot from 20-yards out that sailed over the keeper’s head and found the back of the net.

In the final 18 minutes, the Aces held firm as Miami took three shots, but the Redhawks were unable to push the match into overtime.

A record crowd of 1,164 fans were on hand Friday evening as the University of Evansville volleyball team officially opened up Meeks Family Fieldhouse against Indiana University.

The Purple Aces (5-2) played a hard-fought match, but it was the Hoosiers (7-0) earning the 3-0 win.  IU held on for a 25-20 win in the first game before playing its best in the second, winning 25-15.  In the third, Evansville held a lead midway through the contest before the Hoosiers rallied for a 25-23 win.

Between the second and third sets, a special naming ceremony took place.  The Meeks Family was honored as the facility was officially renamed “Meeks Family Fieldhouse”.  Lois D. Patton was also recognized with the new court bearing her name.

Rachel Tam led the Aces with 10 kills while Cathy Schreiber finished the night with nine.  Allana McInnis posted 20 assists while Cassie Brooks had 14 digs.  Deyshia Lofton had 11 kills for IU with Kendall Beerman recording 10.

“It was a special night not just for our program, but for our community in general. To see such an environment in a home game, made this match unique, regardless of the result. Our girls fought hard against a top team, staying in the game throughout the whole three sets,” UE head coach Manolo Concepcion said.

“In fact, we had the opportunity to take at least two of the three sets, but couldn’t minimize mistakes in the beginning of sets, so the admirable comeback effort was not enough to obtain the win,” he continued.  “This provides us good tangible data moving forward to demonstrate that this program and this roster is here to make our presence known in the Missouri Valley Conference. Now, we get back tomorrow and battle against two more physical teams, in preparation to our long term goals.”

Indiana opened up the match with the first three points before the Aces came back with two in a row, including a service ace by Cathy Schreiber.  The Hoosiers extended their lead to 9-5 on an Elizabeth Asdell kill before UE roared back.  An 8-3 run saw the Aces take their first lead of the evening at 13-12.  Cathy Schreiber capped off the rally with an ace.  The Hoosiers were able to regain the momentum as they finished the set with a 25-20 win.

Game two saw the Hoosiers put forth a strong effort in taking a 25-15 victory.  After opening up on a 9-2 stretch, IU extended the lead to 16-2.  An Allana McInnis ace and Rachel Tam kill saw UE close within 19-12, but the Hoosiers’ late rally saw them take a 2-0 lead in the match.

In the third set, IU got off to a 4-0 start, but the Aces battled back as Schreiber’s second kill of the set made it a 6-6 game.  Later, the Aces continue to roll.  A block assist by Schreiber and McInnis gave UE a 13-12 lead and it grew to 15-12.  Indiana was able to come back, tying it up at 18-18 before taking a 24-20 lead.

Evansville refused to give up as Rodriguez and Schreiber each notched kills as the Aces got back within one at 24-23, but IU got the last point, clinching the match with the 25-23 win.

Tomorrow, UE faces UAB at 12:30 p.m. before completing the Dunn Hospitality Invitational at 6 p.m. versus UT Martin.

The University of Southern Indiana women’s soccer team shutout the University of Missouri-St. Louis, 3-0, to start Great Lakes Valley Conference play Friday evening in St. Louis, Missouri. USI goes to 3-1-0 overall and1-0-0 to start GLVC play, while UMSL ends the match 1-1-1 overall, 0-1-0 in the league.

The Screaming Eagles jumped on top midway through the opening half when senior forward Haley Rheinlander(Evansville, Indiana) made the score 1-0 with her second goal of the season at 20:14. Rheinlander was assisted on the goal by senior defender Carlie Scales (Evansville, Indiana).

USI junior forward Ryley Hancock (Evansville, Indiana) increased the lead 15 minutes later to 2-0 when she recorded her second goal of the season. Freshman midfielder Chelsea Morris (St. Louis, Missouri) assisted Hancock on the play.

After USI took the 2-0 lead through the intermission, freshman defender Madelyne Juenger (Columbia, Illinois) sealed the victory for the Eagles with an unassisted tally at 68:18. Juenger posted her second goal of the season on a free kick and the eventual 3-0 final.

Between the posts, junior goalkeeper Emily Hopkins (Greenfield, Indiana) posted her third win and first shutout of the year. Hopkins posted the shutout after facing seven shots and making three saves.

USI continues the first weekend of GLVC play Sunday when it visits Maryville University for a noon kickoff in St. Louis. Maryville tied Bellarmine University this afternoon, 1-1, in double overtime to go to 1-1-1 overall, 0-0-1 in the GLVC.

The Eagles lead the all-time series with Maryville, 4-3-1, defeating the Saints, 3-1, at home last fall. Senior midfielder Carlie Scales (Evansville, Indiana), junior forward Ryley Hancock (Evansville, Indiana), and forward Gabriella Korte scored for the Eagles in last year’s victory.

Follow the live coverage of USI-Maryville, including live stats and video, on GoUSIEagles.com.