Valparaiso University

With the series opener already secured and the Valparaiso University baseball team leading the second game 5-0 through five innings with its best pitcher on the mound and bright sunshine overhead, all was right in the Vale of Paradise.
 
But in this sport, a game's complexion can turn for the better or for the worse when you least expect it, and that's what occurred on Saturday afternoon at Emory G. Bauer Field, as this time it was visiting Evansville's turn to come from behind for a 6-5 victory, the identical score by which the Beacons stormed past the Purple Aces on Friday.
 
How It Happened

• Both starting pitchers were sharp through the game's first three innings, and Connor Lockwood (Libertyville, Ill. / Libertyville) added a fourth consecutive zero to his day in the top of the fourth. Valpo struck first in the bottom of the fourth as Brayden Pleau (Appleton, Wis. / Kimberly) came through with a two-run single.
• Lockwood cruised through a 1-2-3 fifth, then Javin Gauthier (De Pere, Wis. / De Pere) led off the bottom of the fifth with a home run to right that traveled 406 feet. The good times kept rolling in that inning when Thomas Cooper (Brentwood, Tenn. / Ravenwood) drove in a run with a double and Louie Kegerreis (Murrysville, Pa. / Franklin Regional) added a run-scoring single, building the Beacon bulge to 5-0.
• The tide began to turn in the sixth, when Lockwood gave up two separate two-run homers to make it 5-4.
• Lockwood pitched shutout ball in the seventh and left in position for the win. In the bottom of the seventh, Kegerreis smoked a drive to deep center, but the center fielder made a leaping catch at the wall, and the Valpo runner was doubled off first base on the play to end the inning.
• The bullpen took over in the eighth trying to preserve a 5-4 lead, but an RBI double tied the game at five. With the bases loaded and one out, Evansville hit a fly ball to center and all three runners attempted to tag and move up a base. Catcher Eli Riley (Zanesville, Ind. / Norwell) came out in front of the plate and cut off the throw, then the runner between second and third froze, and Riley ran him back toward second before throwing to second for the double play. However, the go-ahead run had crossed the plate prior to the second out, so this was the classic F824 sac fly double play to end the inning with Evansville in front 6-5.
• Redshirt sophomore Case Sullivan (Carmel, Ind. / Carmel) gave the Beacons life with a one-out double in the bottom of the ninth. After Michael Kuska (Pontiac, Ill. / Pontiac Township) was hit by a pitch, Valpo had the potential winning run on base and the potential tying run in scoring position with one out, but Sullivan was cut down at third on an attempted double steal, and the batter eventually struck out to end the game.

Inside the Game

• Valpo suffered its 12^th one-run loss of the season, slipping to 2-12 in such contests including a 1-7 mark in Missouri Valley Conference games.
• The Beacons owned an 11-10 edge in the hit column led by Cooper, who enjoyed the first three-hit game of his collegiate career.
• Five of Valpo's 11 hits went for extra bases, including Gauthier's seventh home run of the season, which moved him into a tie for the team lead with Cooper and Cal Schembra.

Up Next
The Beacons (11-35, 4-16 MVC) and Purple Aces will play the rubber match of the three-game series on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Emory G. Bauer Field. Admission is free and the game will air on ESPN+. Those attending are encouraged to arrive early, as 16 seniors will be celebrated as part of the pregame Senior Day ceremony that begins at 12:35 p.m.