The Purple Aces outhit the Braves through nine innings
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – To begin the final series of the regular season the University of Evansville gave up a big inning to the Bradley Braves to fall 9-4.
A big top of the sixth for Bradley sunk the Purple Aces in their first game of the weekend. Despite consistent hitting for UE throughout the game, Evansville left too many runners stranded to get runs across home plate. The Aces left 15 on base for the first time in two seasons on Thursday night. UE’s offense was led by outfielder Ty Rumsey (Evansville, Ind. / North HS) and catcher Matt Flaherty (Lake Zurich, Ill. / Bellarmine) with three hits each. Four separate Evansville batters drove in runs in the loss.
“We couldn’t get the big hit with runners in scoring position tonight as we left 15 runners on,” said Head Coach Wes Carroll after the loss. “Our back is against the wall now. We understand the situation and will show some fight behind [Kevin] Reed tomorrow.”
The teams traded blows early as Bradley struck first with only two hits in the top of the first. It took as much time for the Aces to score their first run with singles from lead-off man Charlie Longmeier (Seymour, Ind. / Seymour HS), right fielder Harrison Taubert (Casper, Wyo. / Northeast CC), and center fielder Ty Rumsey (Evansville, Ind. / North HS). UE was able to double its score as catcher Matt Flaherty (Lake Zurich, Ill. / Bellarmine) beat out a double play ball to bring Taubert home.
The Braves were able to tie the game up to begin the second with a solo home run. After the second inning, the offenses were quiet as it became mostly a defensive game. Evansville’s defense had an impressive top of the fourth after giving up two early hits. Third baseman Drew Howard (Ferdinand, Ind. / Forest Park HS) had a diving lineout to get the first out. The Aces then turned a double play from starting pitcher Kenton Deverman, who turned a popup into a second out at first base.
UE added at least a hit every inning going into the fifth, when they were able to break the tie. Rumsey led off the inning with a ground-rule double to right center. He scored three at-bats later when designated hitter Brodie Peart (Markham, Ontario) put a knock into right center, making it a 3-2 game. But Evansville’s lead didn’t last for long as the Bradley offense came alive in the top of the sixth with four hits, scoring five runs.
The Aces got one back in the bottom of the sixth as a lead-off walk to Longmeier became a run on an RBI single from Rumsey. UE’s offense had another opportunity in the bottom of the seventh after blanking the Braves in the top frame. Evansville loaded the bases on two walks and a single. But second baseman Cal McGinnis (Kimberly, Wis. / Bradley) hit straight to the pitcher for a 1-2-3 double play, ending the inning.
Bradley added two more runs in the top of the eighth with two hits and a walk. The Aces added two more hits in the bottom of the frame with two outs on the board. Both runners were left stranded for UE’s last opportunity on the base paths. Evansville was struck out the side in the bottom of the ninth for the 9-4 final score.
The Aces will need to win the final two games of the regular season to make the MVC Tournament. UE will get its chance tomorrow afternoon at 12 p.m. from Charles H. Braun Stadium.
