Life in the Valley

Teams Combine for 9 Homers in Morning Slugfest

With its ace on the mound to begin play in the Missouri Valley Conference Championship, Evansville couldn’t have expected to be down, 6-2, after the top of the 3rd inning to the Illinois State Redbirds, with starting pitcher and Valley Freshman of the Year Kenton Deverman done after just 9 outs.

But it was Illinois State, however, who couldn’t have expected what happened next.

UE (32-23) scored 4 runs in the 3rd to tie the game at 6, getting Deverman off the hook for a loss, then pounded out 7 more runs in the 4th. In the 7th, Brendan Hord’s 2-run homer to right field was the walk-off winner, as Evansville run-ruled Illinois State, 17-6, scoring the final 15 runs of the game.

Every Purple Aces starter had at least 1 hit and 1 run, and 8 of 9 drove in a run. Kip Fougerousse gave Evansville the lead for good with a 2-run homer in the 4th to make it 8-6. Hord later hit a 3-run homer, followed by RBI singles from Mark Shallenberger and Fougerousse to give Evansville a 13-6 edge after 4.

But up to that point, the way the game had been going, 7 runs didn’t seem like a safe lead. Illinois State (28-26) homered 4 times in the first 3 innings – 2 off the bat of Noah Rabin, along with shots from Judah Morris and Daniel Pacella. And while UE starter turned reliever Shane Harris had pitched a scoreless 4th, it didn’t seem like the Redbird bats were done for the day.

Harris had other ideas.

Harris, a redshirt senior from Poseyville, Ind., was just starting his domination over Illinois State hitters, as he pitched 4 shutout innings to close the game out, allowing 4 hits and 0 runs with 2 strikeouts. He got through 12 outs in just 55 pitches (4.58 pitches per out, a 124-pitch pace for a 9-inning complete game). Harris got the win to improve to 7-6 on the season. He lowered his season ERA to 3.59.

Harris’ effort was a dream come true in all likelihood for UE head coach Wes Carroll. He may not be able to turn to Harris tomorrow against either Murray State or UIC, but Harris’ effort today saved the entire rest of the bullpen. Plus, this also comes now with Evansville in the winner’s bracket. And Deverman’s tournament availability now opens up a bit having thrown only 3, albeit difficult, innings today. He threw 62 pitches, far less than his normal starting outing and his lowest workload in a start this season.

Hord’s walk-0ff homer gave him the rare 5-RBI morning. He, Shallenberger, and Cal McGinnis had 3 each of Evansville’s 19 hits. Fougerousse continued his recent torrid streak with 2 hits and 3 RBIs.

Rabin went 3-for-3 for Illinois State with the 2 solo homers. Pacella was 2-for-4 with a homer, 2 runs, and 2 RBIs. Shaydon Kubo went 3-for-3.

Illinois State will play at 9 a.m. again tomorrow against the winner of today’s elimination game between 8th-seeded Missouri State and 7th-seed Belmont.

Evansville 17, Illinois State 6
ISU 303 000 0 – 6 13 1 (28-26)
UE 204 702 2 – 17 19 0 (32-23)
W: Harris (7-6).
L: Donnison (0-3).
S: None.
HR: Rabin, ISU 2 (15,16); Pacella, ISU (12); Morris, ISU (13); Hord, UE 2 (6,7); Hug, UE (5); Scherry, UE (6); Fougerousse, UE (15).