Springfield, Mo. – Graceland handed Evangel two losses Thursday at Crusader Field winning game one 2-1 and game two 8-4. 

Graceland got a two-run home run in the second inning from Chasen Holland in game one and hung on for a 2-1 win. Evangel scored their lone run in the fourth on an RBI single by Caleb Kaufman to pull within a run of the lead. The Crusaders were retired in order in the fifth, sixth and seventh as the Yellowjackets closed out the game for the win. 

The Yellowjackets took advantage of seven Evangel errors in game two and staked an early 6-1 lead through two innings on their way to an 8-4 win in game two. Crusaders pitching allowed just three earned runs but Graceland managed 10 hits and held off Evangel for the win. Jared Gage went 2 for 4 with two runs batted in for the Crusaders. 

The losses extended Evangel's losing streak to four games and dropped their record to 16-27 and 8-16 in the Heart of America conference. Graceland improved to 21-26 and 12-12 in the league. 

Evangel continues the four-game series tomorrow at 1 p.m. with a doubleheader. The two games close out the regular season and Evangel will honor their senior players following the two games.

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