Valparaiso University Baseball Team Takes Missouri Valley Conference Series-Opener from University of Evansville 6-1

The visiting Valparaiso University baseball team took the Missouri Valley Conference series-opener from the University of Evansville Purple Aces 6-1, with six unanswered runs after a tie in the second inning. The Beacons jumped ahead in the sixth inning, scoring two runs on a single and double, and never looked back. The game saw UE struggle to put runners in scoring position after the first inning, while Valpo's starter, Griffin McCluskey, dominated, holding Evansville to just one run on four base hits and striking out six.

Key Takeaways:

• Valparaiso University baseball team snapped a 1-1 tie in the top of the sixth inning, scoring two runs on a single and double, and went on to win the Missouri Valley Conference series-opener 6-1.
• The game remained tied at 1-1 until the sixth inning, when Valparaiso scored two runs off UE reliever Shane Harris, with Kade Reinertson's double and Alex Thurston's suicide squeeze bunt playing key roles.
• Valparaiso's starter, Griffin McCluskey, was dominant, holding Evansville to just one run on four base hits, while striking out six, and allowing no runners past first base after the first inning in 7.1 innings of work.
• The win for Valparaiso improves their overall record to 10-12 and 2-5 in the MVC, while Evansville falls to 17-12 overall and 3-4 in the MVC.
• The two teams will continue the series on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m., with UE LHP Tyler Denu expected to oppose Valparaiso RHP Nathan Chasey.

Statistics:

• Griffin McCluskey held Evansville to just one run on four base hits, with a strikeout-total of 6 in 7.1 innings of work.
• Valparaiso scored two runs off UE reliever Shane Harris in the sixth inning, with Kade Reinertson's double and Alex Thurston's suicide squeeze bunt contributing.
• The Beacons added to the lead with back-to-back home runs by second baseman Nolan Tucker and outfielder Kyle Schmack in the top of the ninth inning.
• UE starter Nick Smith had previously issued two walks and a hit batter in the second inning, with seven walks in 33.2 innings of work on the season.

Sources:

• "Valparaiso University baseball team scores 2 in 6th, beats University of Evansville 6-1" - University of Evansville (March 2023)
• "Valparaiso vs. Evansville Box Score" - Valparaiso University Athletics