Joplin, Mo. – Evangel went 11 innings to stay alive in the Heart of America conference tournament in Joplin but was shut out by Culver-Stockton in their second game Saturday eliminating them from the tournament.
The Crusaders won their first game Saturday with a 9-6 win in 11 innings over fifth seeded Baker. Evangel scored three runs, all with two outs in the 11th to take the lead. Jake Garrison hit an RBI single driving in Caleb Kaufman. Bret Miller, in his first at-bat in the game, then connected with an RBI hit that scored Brandon Cobb and Garrison also scored on the play on a throwing error. Jacob Childers went 4 for 5 at the plate while Garrison went 2 for 6 with a run and two RBIs. The loss eliminated Baker from the tournament as they exited with a 22-29.
Evangel fell in a 2-0 pitchers dual to Culver-Stockton (28-25) in their second game. Culver-Stockton starter Dylan Gadberry (5-1) scattered six hits over eight innings while walking two and striking out one. Cory Neill (1-2) went eight innings for Evangel and did not allow an earned run while he and reliever Justin Stockam combined to hold the Wildcats to just one hit. But Culver-Stockton took advantage of an Evangel error for a run in the second inning and another error in the third that allowed a run. The Crusaders started the bottom of the ninth with back-to-back walks but a ground ball and a grounder that led to a game-ending double play ended the game.
The Crusaders ended their season with a record of 34-15. Their 34 wins in the most in a season during the program's 50 year history.
