Springfield, Mo. – Evangel softball picked up two dominating wins on Tuesday sweeping conference rival Graceland 9-1 in game one and 10-2 in game two. Both were run-rule shortened games going six innings.
Evangel took the lead in the bottom of the first inning of game one and never looked back scoring runs in every inning. Caitlin Buckalew led the offensive charge for the Crusaders going 2 for 3 with two doubles and three RBIs. Michaela Tolliver held Graceland at bay over six innings allowing only one run on four hits. Brittany Arnold, the current Heart of America Athletic Conference player of the week, made several key defensive plays including throwing out Graceland runner, Cassandra Larson, at home in the second and Arnold had a diving catch to end the top of the fifth inning.
Evangel got off to a hot start in game two as well picking up two runs in the first inning and five runs in the second. Although Graceland would respond with two runs in the top of the third, Evangel scored twice in the fifth inning and once in the sixth to seal the win. Katie Tollefson led the way for Evangel in game two, going 2 for 4 with five RBIs and three runs. Kyra Parker picked up her sixth win of the season allowing two runs over six innings.
With the wins, Evangel improves to 14-6 on the season and 3-1 in the Heart of America conference. Graceland drops to 8-8 and 1-3 in the conference.
Evangel is back at home on Saturday, March 26th when they take on Culver-Stockton in a conference doubleheader. First pitch in game one is scheduled for 11:00am.
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