Springfield, Mo. – Central Methodist edged Evangel twice sweeping a Saturday doubleheader and evened the four-game series against the Crusaders winning 4-2 in game one and 3-2 in game two at the Evangel Baseball Complex. 

Central Methodist scored four runs in the first three innings of game one and held off a late rally by the Crusaders. Evangel scored a run in the third, then pulled within two in the sixth inning on a bases loaded walk by Andy Padron. Eagles reliever Reese Johnson got a ground ball against Jordan Kirkpatrick to get out of a bases loaded jam to end the inning. Evangel got the tying run in scoring position in the seventh when Darin Francis doubled with two outs but Grant Davis got a fly ball to right field from Jared Gage to end the game. 

Evangel had a late inning threat in game two also turned away as Central Methodist held off the Crusaders to win 3-2. The Eagles scored all three of their runs in the second inning before Evangel reliever Justin Burnett shut out Central Methodist the rest of the game to keep the Crusaders in striking distance. Evangel scored a run in the sixth on an RBI single by Caleb Kaufman to pull within two. The Crusaders started the bottom of the seventh with a single and a walk and pushed a run home on a RBI ground ball by Jared Gage. Reliever Scott Huesemann struck out two of the three batters he faced to close the game and pick up the save. 

The Crusaders dropped to 16-25 and 8-14 in the Heart of America conference. Central Methodist improved to 23-22 and 9-13. 

Evangel hosts Graceland in a four game series next Friday and Saturday to close the regular season. The Friday doubleheader starts at 1 p.m. at the Evangel Baseball Complex.

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