NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Interstat) — Max Hansmann and Kevin Reed combined on a six-hit, 14-strikeout performance and the Evansville Purple Aces offense erupted for 11 runs on 12 hits to rout the Belmont Bruins 11-2 in Missouri Valley Conference action Friday night at Ken Dugan Field at Stephen Lee Marsh Stadium.

The most important part of the game was the dominant start from Evansville’s Max Hansmann, who set an overpowering tone that Belmont never challenged. The right-hander was flawless over five innings, allowing no hits and no earned runs while striking out seven. He faced just two batters over the minimum, with a walk and a fielding error the only blemishes. His performance stifled any early momentum from the home team and allowed the Purple Aces’ bats to build a substantial lead without pressure.

Evansville’s offense provided that lead in a decisive fourth inning. Already leading 2-0 on a solo home run by Ryan Seddon in the second and a run-scoring double from Ximi Baftiri in the third, the Purple Aces broke the game open. With the bases loaded and one out, Charlie Longmeier singled to center to drive in a run. The next batter, first baseman Reagan Reeder, then launched a grand slam over the left field wall off reliever Drew Perry, turning a 3-0 advantage into an 8-0 rout.

The Purple Aces added three more in the fifth on a two-run homer from catcher Spike Magill and an RBI double from Reid Haire in the seventh. Haire finished 2 for 5 with an RBI, while Longmeier went 2 for 3 with an RBI.

Belmont avoided the shutout in the seventh inning against reliever Kevin Reed. After Nate Webb singled, center fielder Michael Lareau hit a two-run homer, accounting for all of Belmont’s scoring. Reed, who followed Hansmann, pitched the final four innings, allowing both runs on two hits while matching Hansmann’s seven strikeouts.

Belmont starter Sam Heyman took the loss, charged with seven runs, only three earned, over 3 1/3 innings. Bruins reliever Aubrey Moraitakis provided a bright spot with 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief, striking out three.

The victory improved Evansville to 14-21 overall, while Belmont fell to 13-25. The result defied the pregame projection from Interstat, whose simulator had forecast a 5-3 Evansville win. The Purple Aces entered having lost two of their last three, including a midweek defeat at Indiana, while Belmont was coming off a 13-inning loss to Middle Tennessee.

The two teams continue their three-game conference series Saturday afternoon.