Springfield, Mo. – Evangel baseball ended a 13 game losing streak on Saturday, splitting a doubleheader with conference newcomer Grand View. The Crusaders lost game one 7-4, but won game two 3-0.
Evangel got off to a good start in game one, with two runs in the bottom of the second inning, including a solo home run by Ryan Frye. However, leading 3-2 in the top of the fifth, Grand View first baseman Evan DeCovich hit a towering three run homer of his own to put the Vikings up for the first time 5-3. Grand View tacked on two more runs in the sixth to seal the game.
Game two saw Evangel take another early lead with a Blake McCarty RBI double driving in Zach Elledge. Evangel tacked on two more in the sixth inning, but one run would be all Evangel's pitching staff would need. Brad Potts pitched seven scoreless innings for the Crusaders, including two strikeouts to get out of a bases loaded jam in the top of the sixth inning. Justin Stockam would throw two innings of scoreless relief to get a two inning save.
The split sees Evangel move to 10-31 on the season, and 2-18 in the Heart of America Conference. Grand View goes to 18-10, and 14-6 in the conference.
Evangel will continue Heart of America action on Friday, April 15th when they host Benedictine for the first two games of a four game division series. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00pm.
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