A laundry appliance includes a blower that directs process air along an airflow path. An evaporator dehumidifies the process air and removes condensate from the process air. A heat exchange plate is disposed within the airflow path and supports the evaporator from below and within the airflow path. The heat exchange plate receives the condensate from the process air. A sloped area of the heat exchange plate directs the condensate downward and along the heat exchange plate to a condensate drain, wherein the sloped area includes a directing surface that blocks the process air from pushing the condensate upward and away from the condensate drain.