The Basics
Game 1: Evangel 5, MidAmerica Nazarene 3 | Box Score
Game 2: Evangel 1, MidAmerica Nazarene 0 | Box Score
Records: Evangel (13-9, 4-6); MidAmerica Nazarene (6-8, 4-4)
Location: Olathe, Kan. | Dixon Stadium

OLATHE, Kan. — A pair of solid pitching performances and late hitting helped the Evangel baseball team sweep MidAmerica Nazarene, 5-3 and 1-0 to take the series on Monday afternoon.

Game 1
Evangel rallied back in game one to take a 2-1 lead in the top of the fourth inning. 

The Crusaders and Pioneers would go back and forth with MidAmerica Nazarene tying the game in the bottom of the fourth before Evangel regained the lead 3-2 in the top of the fifth. The Crusaders broke the tie in the top of the eighth inning when a pair of MNU errors and a walk gave Evangel a 5-3 lead.

Bret Hoffman tossed six innings and scattered eight hits before leaving to earn the no-decision. Levi Loughridge pitched the final two innings to hold the Pioneers scoreless and add three strikeouts after Hoffman struck out eight.

Mason Baur led the offense with two hits while Jose Vargas and Patrick Gaul tallied the lone two RBIs.

Game 2

Game two saw Bryan Adames and Austin Dill combine for a three-hit shutout. Adames allowed just one hit while striking out six through six innings.

Dill earned his third win after allowing just two hits through the final three innings of relief. 

Evangel scored the game-winning run when Harold Alvarez led off the inning with a double. Pinch runner Stephen Belcher moved to third on a sacrifice bunt and then would score when Rafael Rodriguez placed a safety squeeze down the first base line. 

Belcher scored the game's only run as MNU would threaten in the bottom of the eighth, however, the Crusaders would double-up the Pioneers on a fly ball to center and then appealing the runner at second left early.

Vargas was 2 for 3 as the Crusaders out-hit the Pioneers 5-3. 

Up Next

Evangel and MidAmerica Nazarene finish the three-game series on Tuesday at 1 p.m. in Olathe, Kansas.

For the latest information on Evangel Athletics, follow the Crusaders on Facebook at Facebook.com/EUAthletics or go to www.EvangelAthletics.com. Fans can also receive updates on the team by downloading the Go Evangel Front Row App at EvangelAthletics.com/FrontRow available on Google Play and in the App Store.

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