TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – University of Evansville junior RHP Nick Smith tossed eight strong innings on Wednesday morning, and the Purple Aces used a four-run seventh inning to knock off the No. 3 seed Southern Illinois, 7-3, in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament opener for both teams at Bob Warn Field in Terre Haute, Indiana.
"What a start today from Nick Smith to give us a chance to win today," said UE head coach Wes Carroll. "In order to be able to dogpile on Saturday, you usually have to win the first game, and Nick went out today and really battled after SIU scored a run in the first inning against him, and was able to give us a quality start on the mound.