Box Score

EVANSVILLE, Ind.– The University of Southern Indiana baseball team could not hold onto a one-run lead in the bottom of the ninth, losing to the University of Evansville, 5-4, in the second annual "Battle of the Braun." USI falls to 4-8 overall in 2005, while Evansville goes to 16-5.

Trailing 1-0 after five innings, the Screaming Eagles got on the board when senior centerfielder Noah Wetzel (New Salisbury, Indiana) scored on a suicide squeeze by senior first baseman Trevor Kelly (Marshall, Michigan).

USI would take its first lead of the game, 3-1, in the top of the eighth inning. With one out, Wetzel and senior rightfielder/pitcher Matt Keener (Newburgh, Indiana) scored on a strikeout by sophomore leftfielder Hunter Slade (Newburgh, Indiana). Evansville catcher Dustin Knight threw to first to complete a strikeout of Slade when Wetzel sprinted home for USI's second run. Keener scored on a throwing error by Purple Aces' first baseman Erik Lis, who made an attempt to get Wetzel at the plate.

After the Aces tied the score in the bottom of the eighth, USI retook the lead, 4-3, in the top of the ninth on a RBI double by senior second baseman Bryan Davis (West Chester, Ohio) that scored junior catcher/first baseman Chris Turner (West Lafayette, Indiana) all the way from first.

The Aces scored the winning runs in the bottom of the ninth on a two-RBI single to right-center off the bat of centerfielder Eric Jones, scoring shortstop Robbie Minor and third baseman Ryan Barrett. Minor had reached on a throwing error by USI senior shortstop Corey Goers (LaPorte, Indiana), while Barrett reached on a field choice sacrifice when Turner over threw second base attempting to get Minor.

On the mound for the Eagles, senior right-hander Jae Fadde (West Lafayette, Indiana) got the no-decision, going the first seven-plus innings. He allowed six hits, three earned runs and struck out five.

USI's sophomore right-hander Adam Summers (Dyer, Indiana) took the loss in relief and falls to 1-1. Summers was charged for a hit and two unearned runs in one-plus innings of work. The Evansville game-winning hit came off of Keener, who faced the one batter.

At the plate, Wetzel continued his hot hitting at Braun Stadium. He went three-for-four with two runs scored. In two games against Evansville, Wetzel is five-for-nine with four runs scored and three RBIs.

This weekend, USI will play a four-game home-and-home series with Oakland City University. Saturday's doubleheader will be in Oakland City, while Sunday's doubleheader will be at the USI Baseball Field. Both doubleheaders are scheduled for noon starts.