Final Stats

UE 5, NIU 2 

EVANSVILLE, Ind. - The NIU baseball team rallied back from 2-0 deficit to Evansville (4-4), thanks to a strong  5.0 inning relief outing by sophomore Donovin Sims (Roscoe, Ill./Hononegah Community), tying the game in the top of the seventh, 2-2. However, the Purple Aces would go on to score three runs in the bottom of the seventh to take the opener, 5-2.

Sims tossed a season-high 5.0 innings, scattering five hits and allowing three runs, as he struck out two batters. The loss was Sims first of the season. Tommy Hook (Lockport, Ill./Lockport Township) and Johnny Zubek (Oak Forest, Ill./Oak Forest) both finished 2-for-3 with a walk while Luke Yapp (Verona, Wis./Madison College) went 2-for-4 with two runs. Zubek and Brandon Mallder (Bridgeview, Ill./St. Laurence) both recorded RBI in the game.

“The margin for victory is so small that you have to be locked in for all 27 outs and take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. The team that wins most of the time the team that does that the best. We didn’t capitalize when we had the chances early and weren’t lock in for 27 consecutive outs and that was the difference today,” said Head Coach Mike Kunigonis.

“We played much better and have made a big improvement in many area. Our guy’s have worked hard, they really care about this team and each other, but now wee need to execute on a higher level. We will bounce back tomorrow and get back in the series,” Kunigonis added.

The Purple Aces got on the board first as they scored two in the bottom of the second inning, accounting for both runs with two outs in the inning. After scratching the second run across, starting pitcher Joe Hawks (Johnston, Iowa/Iowa Central College) forced a fly out to right field to end the inning as EU led, 2-0.

NIU shrank the lead to one run in the top of the third is it loaded the the bases with one as the Huskies first two batters, Yapp and Mallder, reached base via single and a four pitch walk. After Brad Wood (Orland Park, Ill./St. Laurence) loaded the bases, Zubek hit and infield single to score Yapp and put NIU down by only one, 2-1. However, a 1-2-3 double play would end the scoring threat for the Huskies in the third.

In the seventh, and Sims already three innings into his relief outing with consecutive shutout innings, the Huskie started a two-out rally as Yapp singled up the middle and advanced to second on a wild pitch.

Mallder, who battled back from 0-2 count, drove a 2-2 pitch to the left side of the infield and scored Yapp on the play to tie the game into the seventh inning stretch, 2-2.

In the bottom of the frame, Sims forced the leadoff batter to groundout and allowed the next two batters to reach base. After recording a groundout that pushed runners to second and third, and a follow up walk, Purple Ace Nate Reeder tripled to right centerfield to clear the bases and put Evansville back on top, 5-2.

NIU and Evansville will continue the series tomorrow at 2 p.m. Central. Freshman William Anderson will start for the Huskies on the mound, facing off against freshman Brandon Gomer.