Des Moines, Iowa – Evangel started the Heart of America conference season with a split of a doubleheader at Grand View on Saturday. The Crusaders lost game one 7-3 but bounced back to win game two 11-1.
Grand View scored five first inning runs in the first game. The Vikings added another run in the second inning as Crusaders starter Michaela Tolliver was knocked out after two frames. Reliever Taylor Kister allowed just one run in her four innings giving Evangel a chance to get within striking distance of the lead. The Crusaders posted three runs late in the game with Brittany Arnold driving in all RBI's as she went 1 for 4. The loss in game one snapped Evangel's eight game winning streak.
Evangel erupted for 11 runs on 13 hits in game two. Crusaders 1B Katie Tollefson went 3 for 5 with 3 runs and an RBI. Arnold went 2 for 4 with 3 runs, a double and an RBI while Katie Zukow drove in three runs going 1 for 4 at the plate. Kyra Parker got the win for Evangel allowing one earned run on four hits while walking one and striking out three.
Evangel starts the conference season 1-1 and moves their record to 12-6 overall. Grand View is now 15-5 and 1-1 in the league.
The Crusaders are home on Tuesday hosting Graceland in a conference doubleheader starting at noon at the Evangel Softball Complex.
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