Springfield, Mo. – Evangel went extra innings to win game one but fell in game two as the Crusaders split a doubleheader with Benedictine Saturday at the Evangel Baseball Complex. Evangel won the first game 2-1 in nine innings and lost game two 13-3. 

A throwing error allowed SS Jordan Kirkpatrick to score from second base for the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning in Evangel's 2-1 win in game one. The Crusaders started with the ninth with single from DH Tanner Smith. Kirkpatrick then reached base on a fielder's choice and got to second base when 3B Caleb Kaufman was hit by a pitch. OF Blake McCarty then hit a ground ball to the shortstop and a wild throw helped score the winning run. 

McCarty went 3 for 5 at the plate for Evangel and had the Crusaders only RBI in the game. 

Benedictine pitching did not allow an earned run but the Ravens stranded 10 runners scoring one run on 10 hits. 

Benedictine bounced back in game two and scored 13 runs on 15 hits for a 13-3 win to split the doubleheader. The Ravens scored three runs in the second inning and broke the game open with an eight-run sixth. Benedictine starter Seth Slayman (3-3) went all seven innings allowing six hits and three runs with two walks and eight strikeouts. 

Harold Alvarez drove in two runs for Evangel with a double in his only at-bat in the game. 

The split placed Evangel's record at 13-32 and 5-19 in the Heart of America conference. Benedictine went to 16-30 and 8-16 in the league. 

Evangel is idle until next Friday, April 22 when they travel to Baker to start a four game series. Friday's doubleheader begins at 1 p.m. in Baldwin City, Kansas.