Springfield, Mo.  – Big innings victimized Evangel Thursday in their home opener as Lyon (Ark.) swept the Crusaders in a doubleheader winning game one 9-6 and game two 12-6.

In game one, Evangel could not overcome a 7-run first inning by Lyon. The Crusaders responded with five runs in the bottom of the first to draw close. Evangel pulled within a run of the lead in the fifth on a ground ball by Michael Headlee that scored Andy Pardon. Headlee finished the game with two RBIs. The Scots stretched the lead back to three runs scoring twice in the sixth.

The Scots scored four runs in the second, fourth and fifth innings on their way to a 12-6 win in game two. Evangel posted a five-run fifth inning but could not rally back. Ryan Bradshaw and Caleb Kaufman both went 2 for 4 for the Crusaders at the plate.

Lyon improved to 8-3 and dropped the Crusaders to 8-10.

Evangel opens their Heart of America conference schedule on Saturday as they play at MidAmerica Nazarene in a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m.

##