Springfield, Mo. – Evangel baseball won twice on Friday taking the first two games of this weekend's series with Benedictine. Evangel won game one 10-3 and game two 4-2.
Evangel trailed after the top of the first inning when a Blake McCarty error allowed two Ravens to score. Evangel would tie the game up in the bottom of the first, however, on a two-run home run from Darin Francis. Tanner Smith would put Evangel up in the bottom of the second with a solo homer of his own. Evangel then scored six runs in the bottom of the fifth inning with McCarty adding a solo shot in the sixth inning to seal the win.
Francis finished the game going 3 for 4 at the plate with 3 RBI's. Justice Boldin (3-5) got the win holding Benedictine to three runs on five hits with two walks and four strikeouts over seven innings.
Game two would start in similar fashion with Benedictine jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first and Darin Francis tying the game in the bottom of the first on another two-run homer. Austin Alfrey would drive home Evangel's third run in the bottom of the fifth with Tanner Smith adding an insurance run in the sixth on an RBI single.
Cody Holzer (1-4) would throw seven innings for Evangel getting the win allowing four hits and two earned runs with two walks and four strikeouts. Stevin Cisneros and Ryan Frye both had 2 for 3 games at the plate with Frye connecting on a double and both players scored a run in the game.
With the sweep, Evangel's record improves to 12-31 and 4-18 in the Heart of America conference. Benedictine fall to 15-19 and 7-15 in the league.
Evangel host the Ravens again on Saturday, April 16th in a doubleheader for the conclusion of the four game set. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00pm.
