The Basics
Game 1: Evangel 1, Graceland 2 | Box Score
Game 2: Evangel 1, Graceland 9 | Box Score
Records: Evangel (12-14, 3-11); Graceland (12-11, 5-7)
Location: Lamoni, Iowa | North Park

LAMONI, Iowa — The Evangel softball team was unable to sustain a rally Saturday falling twice to Graceland, 2-1 and 9-1, in Heart of America Athletic Conference action.

Game 1
Evangel tied the game at 1-1 in the third inning when Anah Noble singled home Michaela Castleberry who led off the inning with a walk. The game would hold at 1-1 until the bottom of the sixth inning.

A solo home run from the Yellowjackets proved to be the deciding run in the sixth inning. Graceland would retire Evangel in order in the seventh to close out a 1-run victory. 

Bridget Rippe went 4.2 innings as she scattered five hits and allowed just the one unearned run. Unfortunately, she earned a no-decision after striking out nine and walking just one. Abby Emmitt was tagged with the loss giving up the home run, her only hit allowed in the final 1.1 innings.

Evangel worked just three hits in the loss as Michelle Sheppard joined Noble and Kami Holt.

Game 2

After an early lead for Evangel in the top of the first inning, Graceland responded with eight runs in the bottom of the opening frame. The Yellowjackets scored eight runs on just four hits and an error to take command of the game.

Graceland would score a single run in the third inning to put the run rule in effect as Evangel was unable to score of the final four innings. 

Both pitching staffs were solid over the final four innings as the Crusaders allowed just one hit after the first inning. Emma Hill went 2.0 innings before Abby Emmitt pitched the final two for the Crusaders.

Evangel was again out-hit 5-4 as Michelle Sheppard went 1 for 2 with the only run scored for the Crusaders. Cailey Barnes, Kami Holt, and Ashlie Marshall earned the remaining three hits.

Up Next
Evangel continues its North Division road swing on Sunday at Peru State. First pitch is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.