The Basics
Score: Oakland City 19, Evangel 8 | Box Score
Records: Evangel (7-5); Oakland City (7-7)
Location: Crusader Field

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Evangel saw its four-game win streak come to an end Tuesday afternoon with a 19-8 setback to Oakland City at Crusader Field.

Joel Archer's two-run homer in the top of the sixth inning turned a one-run Oakland City deficit into a 4-3 lead for the Mighty Oaks, kick-starting an offensive barrage that saw the visitors score 17 runs over the final four innings.

Oakland City extended its lead with a six-run seventh inning, as EU pitchers handed out a trio of bases-loaded walks, before a Noah Gilbert RBI-grounder to third and a Tyler Shamblin two-run single made it a 10-3 contest.

After an unearned Mighty Oaks run in the top of the eighth, Evangel momentarily pulled to within four runs, thanks in large part to a Mason Hansen two-run homer, a Patrick Gaul sacrifice fly and a Noah Suiter run-scoring ground out.

But two-run homers by Archer and Shamblin set off a ninth-inning scoring bonanza for the Mighty Oaks, who added four unearned runs to extend their cushion to 12 runs.

In all, the duo of Archer and Shamblin combined to go 6-for-9 with 10 RBIs, while right-hander Pete Smith (1-1) earned the mound victory after striking out five and scattering three runs on five hits in his 5.0 innings.

Gaul led the Crusaders with a 3-for-4 day at the plate, while both Hansen and Jordan Yates drove in two runs apiece.

Up Next
Evangel is scheduled to open Heart of America Athletic Conference play with a 1 p.m., Friday (March 12) doubleheader against Central Methodist 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—