Life in the Valley

Indiana State, Evansville, and Murray State notched wins to move forward undefeated in the Missouri Valley Conference baseball Championship on Wednesday, while Belmont stayed alive in the loser’s bracket, scoring 9 runs in the 2nd inning and then hanging on to edge Valparaiso, 10-9. The loss ends Valve’s season at 20-27.

Here are quick capsules on Wednesday’s games and what to look for on Thursday in Terre Haute.

#4 Evansville 7, #3 Southern Illinois 3: In the 9 a.m. clash, UE scored 4 runs in the 7th inning and starting pitcher Nick Smith went 8 innings as the Purple Aces started their tournament journey with a 7-3 win. UE’s runs in the 7th came on a fielder’s choice, single, walk, and error and gave the Purple Aces a 6-3 lead. Down 7-3 in the 9th, SIU (30-26) loaded the bases with 1 out but UE reliever Nate Hardman struck out Ryan Rodriguez and Bennett Eltoft to end the game. Evan Waggoner hit a 2-run homer for Evansville (34-22) and Ty Rumsey had 2 hits and 2 runs. Smith threw 101 pitches to get 24 outs (4.21 ppo), giving up 3 runs on 7 hits with 3 strikeouts.

#7 Belmont 10, #8 Valparaiso 9: The Bruins eliminated the Beacons to extend their stay in Terre Haute and set up an elimination game Thursday morning against SIU. Belmont (26-32) erupted in the 2nd inning for 9 runs, after Valpo had scored 3 in the top of the 2nd to take the lead. The first 3 runs scored on singles, before Belmont loaded the bases and Brodey Heaton hit a grand slam – his 3rd homer of the tournament. Two batters later, Max Blessinger hit a 2-run homer to cap the outburst. But Valpo didn’t quit, closing to within 10-9 in the 8th on Kyle Schmack’s homer. But Ethan Harden finished off a 10-out save by retiring the Beacons 1-2-3 in the 9th. Normal starter Will Pryor came on in relief in the 3rd and pitched 3 2/3 innings to get the win. SS Alex Thurston had 3 RBIs for Valpo (20-27).

#1 Indiana State 8, #6 UIC 5: Matt Jachec struck out 7 over 7 innings with 0 walks, and Grant Magill drove in 4 runs as the regular-season Valley champions Indiana State downed Illinois-Chicago, 8-5 in the opening game for both teams. Magill smacked a 3-run double in the 5th inning to break a 4-4 tie, then added his 4th RBI of the game on 7th-inning sacrifice fly. UIC (28-24) had taken a 4-3 lead in the top of the 5th inning on Cole Conn’s second solo homer of the game – both of which came on 2-2 counts. The Sycamores (39-14) won despite Seth Gergely, 9th in the MVC in on-base percentage, not playing.

#5 Murray State 5, #2 Missouri State 1: In the biggest upset of the day, the Murray State Racers joined the winner’s bracket party with a 5-1 win over regular-season runners-up Missouri State. The Racers (31-26) announced their presence with authority in the top of the 5th inning by scoring 4 runs. Brennan McCullough (3-for-4, HR, 2 runs, 2 RBIs), Ryan Vogel, Riley Hawthorne, and Ethan Krizen had RBIs in the inning. The Bears’ (31-22) powerful offense was held to just 1 run on 4 hits by Cade Vernon and Allen Roulette, who also combined for 11 strikeouts. Vernon started and got 21 outs on just 83 pitches (3.95 ppo).

With Wednesday’s quadruple header in the books, here’s what we’ve got awaiting us today. All games are broadcast on ESPN+ and all times are Eastern.

Game 7: #7 Belmont vs. #3 Southern Illinois, 9 a.m., elimination game.
Game 8: #6 UIC vs. #2 Missouri State, 12:30 p.m., elimination game.
Game 9: #1 Indiana State vs. Game 7 winner, 4 p.m.
Game 10: #5 Murray State vs. #3 Evansville, 7:30 p.m.