Springfield, Mo. – Evangel rallies fell short in both games as the Crusaders were swept by Central Christian in a doubleheader, 4-1 and 5-3, at the Evangel Baseball Complex on Saturday. 

In game one, Central Christian scored all four of their runs and had six of their seven hits in the fifth inning. The Tigers sent nine batters to the plate scoring four runs on six hits and drawing one walk. All four runs came in with two outs. Evangel scored their lone run in the seventh on an RBI single by Zach Elledge. Evangel had the tying run at the plate when Central Christian recorded the final out on a fly ball to center field with runners on second and third. The Tigers turned a triple play on the Crusaders in the second inning when their catcher, Kelby Landon, caught a popped up bunt, then Evangel base runners were doubled up off of second base and first base. Central Christian also turned two double plays in the game. 

Evangel's bottom of the seventh rally fell short again in game two as the Crusaders pulled within two runs of the lead and had the bases loaded with one out before Central Christian got out of the jam. Trailing 5-1 in the seventh, Evangel got a lead-off double from Jordan Kirkpatrick. Kirkpatrick scored on a Stevin Cisneros single. Darin Francis was then hit by a pitch with the bases loaded forcing in another run. Tigers' reliever Doug Gove would get a strikeout and a pop up to second base with to end the game. 

Evangel dropped to 8-13 with the losses while Central Christian improved to 13-14. 

The Crusaders open their Heart of America conference schedule on Wednesday when they host William Penn in a 1 p.m. doubleheader for their next games.