WSU 9, UE 2 – Final
WSU 9, UE 2 – 8th. Springer’s three-run homer and a solo shot by Coy open it up. Springer has 12 RBIs this series after denting the Aces for nine last season in five games. In eight games, Springer is 11-28 with 21 RBIs against the Aces.
WSU 5, UE 2 – top 7th. An Aces error helps WSU score three runs. O’B drives in two with a single. Springer’s sac fly adds one.
2-all – top 5th. O’Brien drives in Coughenour with a two-out single. WSU has stranded five in scoring position.
UE 2, WSU 1 – bottom 4th. Aces retake the lead on Baehl’s RBI double.
1-all. WSU ties it on a two-out RBI single by Coy. Shockers have stranded six. Coughenour did not get ejected.
UE 1, WSU 0 – bottom third. Evansville’s Greg Wallace and WSU coach Gene Stephenson ejected after a dustup at third base. Not sure if anybody else got tossed, but it’s possible.
Is it too early to consider today an elimination game in the MVC race? Probably not. If Evansville loses, the Aces are 1-5 in the MVC with nine road games and six home games remaining. WSU, with a loss, falls to 2-4. Its schedule is kinder – nine home and six road remaining. The 21-game schedule doesn’t leave much room for a error, especially at home. WSU and Illinois State tied for first last season at 15-6, so anything worse than a 3-3 start means a team probably needs to sweep four of its remaining five series. Evansville is a surprising 0-3 at home after getting swept last weekend by Southern Illinois.
Creighton, which opened MVC play with two road series, is 4-1 entering today’s game at Indiana State. A win today puts the Bluejays in a great spot with nine remaining home games and six on the road.
2B Josh Halbert and LF Zach Stucky, left-handed hitters, are back in the lineup today against right-handed starter Cody Fick. I’m eager to get another look at Halbert, who made some nice defensive plays on Friday and drove in a two runs with a single.