EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Ryan Niedzwiedz hit his 20th home run of the season and drove in four runs to lead SIUE to a 6-4 win Tuesday at Evansville.
SIUE improved to 24-21 overall. Evansville fell to 16-26.
Niedzwiedz got the scoring started in the third with an RBI double.
The Purple Aces scored three times in the bottom of the inning against SIUE starter Brady Coon who worked 2.2 innings.
After back-to-back walks to open the fifth inning, Niedzwiedz homered to right to give the Cougars a 4-3 lead.
Evansville tied the score again in the bottom of the inning on a bases loaded walk.
Jose Fichera walked and went to second on a wild pitch with one out in the sixth inning. Daniel Gierer singled to put the Cougars up for good. SIUE added a run in the seventh when Isaiah Kettler scored from third when Ethan Willoughby was caught stealing at second base.
Connor Vander Luitgaren (0-1) allowed a run on a hit in two innings to take the loss. He walked three and struck out two.
Gabriel Nutter (2-0) pitched 2.1 scoreless innings in relief to earn the win. He did not allow a hit. He walked one and struck out three.
Brennen Grams worked the final 1.1 innings striking out three to earn his first save.
Niedzwiedz finished with two hits. The Cougars finished with six hits and outhit the Aces 6-4.
SIUE returns home for a three-game series against Lindenwood beginning Friday at Simmons Baseball Complex.
