The Basics

Game 1: Evangel 4, #11 Clarke 5

Game 2: Evangel 1, #11 Clarke 4

Records: Evangel (14-8, 1-3 Heart); Clarke (17-2, 4-0 Heart)

Location: Springfield, Mo. – Crusader Field

SPRINGFIELD – The Evangel baseball team fell to No. 11 Clarke University, 5-4, and, 4-1, in Heart of America Athletic Conference action Monday afternoon.

The Crusaders struggled to score runners in scoring position Monday leaving 11 on base in game one and five more in game two. Clarke also left nine runners on base in game one and eight in the second game, however; they finished with four more hits in the double-header sweep.

Evangel jumped out in front early in game one taking a 3-0 lead through the first two innings. Starter Dustin Eby held Clarke scoreless through the first three innings before the visitors scored four in the top half of the fourth.

After an insurance run by Clarke in the top of the fifth Evangel scored one run in the bottom of the seventh. However, with runners on first and second, the comeback fell short in the 5-4 loss.

Eby was charged with only one earned run earning the loss after scattering four hits. Josh Lachnit pitched the final three innings in relief allowing two hits and four walks.

Stevin Cisneros, Kyle Thurman and Jordan Yates all found the outfield fence with multiple hits and a double each in the loss. Dustin Hargus earned the game's first RBI with a double in the bottom of the first inning, while Cisneros finished two RBI.

Clarke pitching held Evangel at bay in the second game allowing just three hits.

Evangel starter Tanner McVey scattered eight hits over five innings as he was charged with three runs. McVey struck out three and did not allow a walk as the junior continues his streak without allowing a walk this season in 30 innings pitched.

Cisneros finished 1-for-2 with a walk in game two to close the day three hits.

UP NEXT
Evangel hits the road for just the third time this season and first in almost a month starting a four-game series at MidAmerica Nazarene Friday. The Crusaders and Pioneers start both Friday and Saturday's double-headers at noon.

For the latest information on Evangel athletics, follow the Crusaders on Facebook at Facebook.com/EvangelAthletics or go to www.EvangelAthletics.com.

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