Springfield, Mo. – Evangel was blanked in game one then edged in game two as MidAmerica Nazarene swept the Crusaders in a doubleheader on Thursday at the Evangel Baseball Complex. The Pioneers won the first game 6-0 and the second game 4-2. The two games were the first pair in a four game series that ends the regular season for Evangel. 

MidAmerica Nazarene OF Jordan Eckley drove in five of the Pioneers six runs during their 6-0 win in game one. Eckley put MNU on the board with a three-run home run in the second inning and picked up two more RBI's with a single in the fourth. 

Pioneers starter Blake Robberson (8-1) got the shutout win scattering six hits while walking only one and striking out six. 

Caleb Kauffman went 2 for 3 at the plate to lead Evangel's offense. 

Evangel out-hit the Pioneers 8-5 in game two but could not string together enough in an inning to overcome a 3-0 deficit in the third inning in their 4-2 loss. 

Darin Francis went 4 for 4 at the plate for Evangel and drove in a run in the third inning pulling the Crusaders within two runs of the lead, 3-1. MNU's Kelvin Perez started the fourth inning off with a home run giving the Pioneers back a three-run lead. Evangel pulled back within two when Ryan Frye tripled and scored on a throwing error in the bottom half of the inning but the Crusaders could not push home a game-tying run. 

Phil Graham (8-2) did not allow an earned run in the win for MidAmerica Nazarene working six innings and picking up seven strikeouts.

The Crusaders dropped to 15-36 and 7-23 in the Heart of America conference. MidAmerica Nazarene improved to 36-13 and 19-11. 

Evangel ends the regular season at home tomorrow as the four game series against the Pioneers continues. With the threat of rain coming Friday evening, game time has moved up to noon at the Evangel Baseball Complex.

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