Baseball Falls In Series Opener Against Evansville

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Belmont dropped the series opener to Evansville, 11-2, Friday afternoon at E.S. Rose Park, as a pair of big innings from the Purple Aces proved too much to overcome. 

Evansville struck early and never let up, scoring in five different innings and tallying 12 hits on the day. Belmont was held quiet offensively through the first six innings before a late spark in the seventh. 

The Bruins threatened in the opening frame with a two-out single from Brady Holbrook, but Evansville starter Max Hansmann settled in quickly, limiting Belmont to just two hits over five shutout innings while striking out seven. Evansville broke the scoreless tie in the second inning on a solo home run from Ryan Seddon, then extended the lead in the third with the help of a wild pitch and an RBI double from Ximi Baftiri to make it 3-0. 

The game's turning point came in the fourth inning, when Evansville exploded for five runs. After loading the bases, Charlie Longmeier delivered an RBI single before Reagan Reeder crushed a grand slam to cap the inning, blowing the game open at 8-0. The Purple Aces continued to add on in the fifth with a two-run home run from Spike Magill, pushing the advantage to 10-0 and putting Belmont in a deep hole. 

Belmont's pitching staff was led by Sam Heyman, who struck out five over 3.1 innings, but was charged with six runs. Andrew Perry (1-5) took the loss after allowing five runs in 3.1 innings of relief. Aubrey Moraitakis provided a bright spot out of the bullpen, tossing 2.1 scoreless innings with three strikeouts.  The Bruins finally broke through in the seventh inning when Nate Webb reached base and Michael Lareau delivered the highlight of the day with a two-run home run to right field, cutting the deficit to 11-2. 

Offensively, Belmont managed six hits, with Holbrook, Cavan McMeans, Mike Sprockett, Jake Maddox, Webb, and Lareau each recording one. Lareau's home run accounted for both RBIs on the afternoon. 

Despite drawing four walks, Belmont struck out 14 times and left eight runners on base, unable to generate sustained offense against Evansville's pitching staff. 

Belmont will look to bounce back in game two of the series as they aim to even the weekend set. First pitch is set for 9:30 tomorrow morning at E.S. Rose Park. 

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