Springfield, Mo. – Evangel had their five game winning streak snapped in game one against Avila in a 3-1, 8-inning loss but bounced back to win game two 7-1 on Tuesday at the Evangel Softball Complex in Springfield.
The split puts Evangel's record at 22-8 and 8-2 in the Heart of America conference. Avila went to 27-13-2 and 8-4 in the league.
Evangel was two outs away from a win in game one when Araceli Juarez slapped an 0-2 pitch over the left field fence tying the game at 1-1 in the top of the 7th inning. Evangel put runners on second and third in the bottom of the inning but the Eagles escaped and forced extra innings getting a strikeout and ground out to third base.
With two out in the 8th, Avila strung together back-to-back singles by Katie McMurray and Emilee Biondo followed by a walk to Juarez. Steph Cantu then drove in two runs with a base hit giving the Eagles their first lead of the game.
The Crusaders threatened in the bottom of the 8th loading the bases with one out but Avila ended the game as starting pitcher Tori Aziere (11-8) would get a strikeout and a ground out to end the game.
Evangel recorded 12 hits but stranded 10 runners in the loss. The loss was only Evangel's third defeat in their last 21 games.
Evangel bounced back to win game two 7-1 as Kyra Parker (11-3) won her 10th consecutive start. The Webb City native allowed just two hits and one unearned run in seven innings. The run scored by Avila in the fifth inning ended Parker's scoreless streak of 29.2 innings pitched and six starts. She has not allowed an earned run, however, in six games and 32 innings.
Kiarra Carrier put the Crusaders on the board with a solo home run, her third of the season, to start the fourth inning. Evangel added two more runs in the frame on an RBI double by Michelle Sheppard and an RBI triple by Katie Tollefson.
Carrier went 2 for 4 at the plate with two RBI's for the Crusaders while Tollefson went 3 for 3 with a walk.
Evangel is in action again on Saturday when they host Peru State. Game time has been moved up to noon at the Evangel Softball Complex. Saturday's game is also Senior Day as Evangel will honor their senior players during the last Saturday home games of the year.
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