EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Evansville baseball team will return home briefly on Wednesday night to host the visiting Southeast Missouri State Redhawks at German American Bank Field at Charles H. Braun Stadium. First-pitch is set for 6 p.m.
Evansville will look to get back in the win column on Wednesday night after dropping three games at SEC power Mississippi State over the weekend. UE will bring a 7-8 overall record into Wednesday’s contest. Despite getting limited by Mississippi State’s pitching staff over the weekend, Evansville still ranks in the NCAA’s top 25 in three major offensive categories entering this week’s action. UE is currently sixth in the nation in doubles (25), 21st in total hits (173) and 23rd in team batting average (.322).
Graduate outfielder Mark Shallenberger continues to pace the UE attack with a .407 batting average. Shallenberger has reached base safely in 31-straight games dating back to last year, and he has done so by reaching base by any means necessary. He currently leads UE in batting average, walks (12) and hit-by-pitches (nine). His nine HBPs are currently tied for the top spot in the Missouri Valley Conference, and he ranks ninth nationally overall.
Southeast Missouri State will bring a 7-10 overall record into Wednesday’s game. The Redhawks will be looking to snap a two-game losing streak, as they dropped the final two games of a series at Marshall over the weekend. Junior outfielder Michael Mugan currently leads the SEMO offense with a .353 batting average, while he is second on the team with four home runs. As a team, the Redhawks have launched 24 home runs already this year.
Evansville and SEMO split a home-and-home series last year, with both teams winning on the other’s home field. UE has opened the 2024 season on fire at home, as the Purple Aces are 4-1 at home this year thanks to an offense which has hit .401 as a team and scored 63 runs in five home contests.
