Game 1: Evangel 10, Missouri Valley 7 | Box Score
Game 2: Evangel 4, Missouri Valley 2 | Box Score
Records: Evangel (17-7, 6-6); Missouri Valley (10-9, 2-6)
Location: Crusader Field 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Evangel's late offensive explosion overturned a six-run Missouri Valley lead to take game one of the two clubs' twin bill Tuesday afternoon, before Abby Jo Emmitt registered her second complete-game victory in as many days in the nightcap to complete the sweep for EU.

Trailing 6-0 entering the fourth inning, Evangel scored all 10 runs over the final three frames, capitalizing on eight MVC errors and a 3-for-4 effort by Ali Raley.

Emmitt recorded a save in game one and the victory in game two, striking out a total of 10 hitters in her 8.0 combined innings.

Game 1 – Evangel 10, Missouri Valley 7
After being held scoreless on two hits through the first three innings, Evangel scored nine times over a two-inning stretch, taking advantage of five MVC defensive miscues to seize control of the contest.

Raley homered to spark EU's three-run, fourth-inning rally, then added a pair of singles to help spur the late surge by the home team. Kristyn Stocks also delivered a big performance, tripling in the fourth and belting the go-ahead three-run homer in the decisive fifth inning.

MVC appeared to be poise for a runaway victory after scoring three times in the top of the first, before plating three more runs in the third to build a 6-0 cushion. Megan Vess and Chrisha Gray contributed run-producing hits in the opening frame, before Kaitlyn Marsh's two-run double highlighted the Vikings' third.

But Raley launched her second home run in as many days—and her fourth of the season—to lead off the fourth, beginning a string of four consecutive EU hits to open the rally. After a Stocks triple and an Abigail Posten bunt double, Mariah Hanner cut the MVC lead to 6-3 with her two-run single.

A pair of Viking errors and a Marissa Lokey single produced an Evangel run to start the fifth. Raley added a single, and Stocks lofted a long fly ball to center that found its way over the wall for a three-run homer and a 7-6 EU lead. Three more MVC miscues in the fifth helped Evangel increase its lead to three runs.

Bridget Rippe (4-2) retired seven straight MVC hitters from the third through the fifth frames. She allowed a sixth-inning run on a Clarissa Hagler two-out double, but avoided further damage by inducing an inning-ending grounder.

Emmitt locked down the victory and her first save of the season with a pair of strikeouts in a scoreless seventh.

Game 2 – Evangel 4, Missouri Valley 2
Emmitt (7-3) picked up where she left off in game one, working her second complete-game victory of the week. EU once again took advantage of MVC's charity, scoring four unearned runs in the first two innings to seize control of the contest.

Megan Stone led Evangel with two hits and a run batted-in, while Hanner added her second key run-scoring hit to finish with two RBIs.

Emmitt, who tossed a two-hit shutout at MidAmerica Nazarene on Monday, struck out the side in the first inning before finishing with a flurry. After allowing single runs in the second and third innings, Emmitt faced the minimum over the final four frames, giving up just one hit and finishing with eight strikeouts.

Stone set the tone by singling and advancing to second on a throwing error to lead off the home half of the first. A second Viking error on Raley's ground ball to second allowed Stone to score, before a fielder's choice and a Posten single set up Hanner's two-run single that gave EU a 3-0 advantage.

After Missouri Valley scored in the top of the second following a Madison Finley double and a wild pitch, the home team quickly responded to reclaim its three-run bulge. Annslee Leeviraphan reached base on a one-out error to spark another Evangel rally in the second. Stone followed with a base hit to left-center to chase home the fourth EU run of the game.

The Vikings put four of their first five batters aboard to start the third, as Emmitt issued three walks after a Hagler single opened the inning. But the right-hander rebounded to strikeout Gray and retire Marsh on a fly ball to left to keep EU's two-run lead intact.

From there, Emmitt allowed just a Vess double to start the sixth. She then dispatched the final five MVC hitters of the game in succession to notch her seventh victory of the season.

Up Next
Evangel will put its three-game Heart Conference win streak on the line Friday (April 2), when it travels to Peru, Neb., for a 2 p.m. doubleheader against Peru State.

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—