In a rematch of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament opener, Southern Illinois earned its second-straight victory against Evansville on Thursday night with a 3-2 victory over the Purple Aces in an elimination game at Johnny Reagan Field in Murray, Kentucky. The Purple Aces grabbed the early edge in the fourth inning when Reagan Reeder launched a two-run homer down the left-field line, scoring Reid Haire to put Evansville ahead 2-0. That would be one of only four hits on the night for UE, as Saluki pitching took control from there.

Evansville starter Tanner Graham was outstanding in his final appearance of the season, tossing five scoreless innings while allowing just four hits and striking out five. Graham worked around a pair of Evansville defensive miscues and stranded multiple runners to keep Southern Illinois off the board through the first five innings. Southern Illinois matched him pitch for pitch behind Charlie Miller, who settled in after the Reeder homer and dominated the middle innings. Miller worked eight strong innings, allowing just four hits and two runs while striking out six to earn the win.

The Salukis finally broke through in the sixth inning against reliever Kevin Reed. Michael Mylott sparked the rally with a leadoff double before Jacob McKenzie ripped an RBI double to right center to cut the deficit in half. Later in the frame, Jaden Flores lifted a sacrifice fly to left to tie the game at 2-2. Southern Illinois pushed across the decisive run in the eighth when Jackson Dibble scored on an Evansville throwing error during a Flores fielder’s choice, giving the Salukis their first lead of the night.

Southern Illinois closer Meade Johnson shut the door in the ninth despite issuing two walks, striking out three to secure the save and send the Salukis onward in the tournament. Evansville’s season comes to an end at 21-33, while Southern Illinois improves to 25-31 and advances to face Indiana State in another elimination game Friday at 3 p.m. CT.