Springfield, Mo. – Evangel swept Central Methodist in a doubleheader Friday winning both games in their last at-bat with a 6-5 win in game one and a 3-2 win in 13 innings in game two at the Evangel Baseball Complex.
Evangel won game one on a sacrifice fly by Caleb Kaufman in the bottom of the seventh giving the Crusaders a 6-5 win. Kaufman's fly to center field scored Austin Alfrey, who led off the inning with a walk. Evangel rallied for the winning run after Central Methodist tied the game with two runs in the seventh to even the game at 5-5. Jared Gage had two RBIs in the game for Evangel, both on sacrifice flies, added a double and a sacrifice bunt.
The Crusaders prevailed in game two winning on Jared Gage's based loaded walk in the bottom of the 13th inning. Evangel was an out away from winning in the seventh inning but a double by the Eagles' Brennen Hurley kept Central Methodist alive and he scored to tie the game on an RBI single by Chase Sugg. The Crusaders could not capitalize on scoring chances in the seventh or in extra innings and stranded 18 batters in the game but managed the load the bases in the 13th setting up the winning run. Evangel starter Justice Bolden pitched 10 innings for the Crusaders allowing 8 hits, 2 runs, both earned with 2 walks and 6 strikeouts.
The Crusaders were previously 1-8 in one-run games but won both contests by a single run Friday. They improved to 16-23 and 8-12 in the Heart of America conference. Central Methodist dropped to 21-22 and 7-13.
The series continues tomorrow with a doubleheader starting at 10:00 a.m. at the Evangel Baseball Complex.
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