Game 1: Evangel 9, UHSP 0 (5 inn.) | Box Score
Game 2: Evangel 8, UHSP 1 | Box Score
Records: Evangel (2-0); UHSP (0-2)
Location: Crusader Field

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Evangel rode a pair of shutdown pitching performances and a balanced offensive attack to a doubleheader sweep of UHSP on opening day at Crusader Field Tuesday afternoon.

Bridget Rippe (1-0) struck out seven hitters in a complete-game, five-hit shutout in the opener, before Samantha Romano tossed 5.2 innings of hitless relief in the nightcap.

At the plate, the Evangel lineup featured three different players who logged three-hit performances, in addition to Ali Raley's five RBIs in game two. 

Game 1 – Evangel 9, UHSP 0
Rippe allowed just three hits through the first four innings, allowing the EU offense enough time to establish a four-run lead. The Crusaders then put the game on ice with a five-run fifth that was sparked by Kaydran Russell's third hit of the contest.

Evangel jumped on top with a two-run second inning, sparked by Kristyn Stocks' leadoff triple and Hailey Lange's sacrifice fly that put the Crusaders on top. A Lilly White bunt single, coupled with a pair of UHSP errors added another run for a 2-0 EU lead.

The home club doubled its advantage in the third, using an Ashlie Marshall RBI grounder and a Stocks run-scoring single to take a four-run margin into the fourth.

Stocks finished 3-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored and a stolen base, while Russell also posted three hits and a steal in three at-bats and Anah Noble added two hits, an RBI and a steal for the Crusaders.

Game 2 – Evangel 8, UHSP 0
Evangel scored eight unanswered runs, while the duo of Romano and Abby Jo Emmitt combined on a no-hitter. Romano fanned seven batters after taking over for Emmit in the second inning.

After UHSP scored on a Daisy Eaton RBI grounder following a trio of walks, EU bounced back in the home half of the inning on Raley's two-run single to take the lead for good.

Raley struck again in the fourth, hammering a three-run homer to highlight the Crusaders' five-run rally that turned a one-run lead into a 7-1 cushion. White added a sac fly to bring in a baserunner from third, and Kami Holt scored an unearned run on a passed ball to complete the scoring outburst.

Romano (1-0) allowed just one baserunner—a one-out walk to Emily Wells in the third inning—and retired the final 13 Eutectic hitters in order to complete the victory.

Mariah Hanner went 3-for-3 with two runs scored to compliment Raley's five-RBI effort. Holt chipped in with two hits and a steal.

Up Next
Evangel looks to build on its opening day momentum with a 1 p.m., twinbill Wednesday (March 3) against William Woods at Crusader Field.

For the latest information on Evangel Athletics, follow the Crusaders on Facebook at Facebook.com/EUAthletics, Twitter (@EUAthletics), or visit EvangelAthletics.com. Fans can also receive updates on the team by downloading the new Evangel Crusaders GamedayApp through Google Play. 

—EvangelAthletics.com—