Game 1: MidAmerica Nazarene 14, Evangel 1 | Box Score
Game 2: MidAmerica Nazarene 10, Evangel 2 | Box Score
Records: Evangel (11-16, 4-11); MidAmerica Nazarene (21-12, 11-4)
Location: Dixon Stadium 

OLATHE, Kan. – MidAmerica Nazarene completed its second-straight doubleheader sweep of Evangel with another strong all-around performance Saturday afternoon at Dixon Stadium.

After putting up 34 runs in Friday's series-opening sweep of EU, the Pioneers logged another big day at the plate that included a total of eight home runs in the twin bill.

MNU excelled on the mound as well, holding Evangel to three total runs on the day. Tommy Castro twirled a complete-game effort in game one, fanning eight batters and allowing just six hits. The duo of Easten Garrett and Eric Navarette combined on another shutdown effort in the nightcap, permitting just two runs on eight total EU hits.

Game 1 – MidAmerica Nazarene 14, Evangel 1
Despite keeping the Pioneers off the scoreboard in all but two innings, Evangel dropped a lopsided decision after MNU registered a pair of seven-run rallies to account for all of its offense.

After Evangel's Austin Dill combined with Castro to complete three scoreless innings to start the afternoon, MNU erupted for seven runs in the home half of the fourth, sparked by Daunte Freeman's two-run homer and three critical EU errors. Brycen Sherwood added an RBI-double, before Austin Healy belted a two-run shot to cap the scoring.

EU notched its lone run of the contest in the sixth on Jordan Yates' leadoff homer to center on a full-count offering from Castro.

But the Pioneers put the game on ice with another outburst in the home half of the sixth, striking for seven more runs on six hits and one additional EU error. Sherwood launched the first of his three home runs on the day to lead off the inning, before Healy added a run-scoring single and Joshuan Sandoval drove in two with his base hit up the middle. Ryan Leo tacked on two more Pioneer runs with a double to deep left-center to complete the scoring.

Healy led the Pioneers with a 2-for-3 effort in which he scored two runs and drove in three more. Four additional MNU hitters finished with multiple RBIs, while Sherwood, Jacob Jenkins and Sandoval also added two hits.

Dill (4-3) suffered the mound setback despite allowing just two earned runs on six hits in 5.0 innings, while striking out five Pioneers.

Game 2 – MidAmerica Nazarene 10, Evangel 2
MNU kept the pressure on Evangel's pitching staff in game two as well, powering up to go deep five times while touching up EU hurlers for its fourth-straight double-digit run total in the series.

Adam Rellihan kicked off the power surge with a one-out homer in the bottom of the first to stake MNU to an early lead.

Evangel responded in the top of the second, using three consecutive singles by Noah Suiter, Mason Hansen and Jason Jarrell to even the score at 1-1.

But Sherwood responded for MNU immediately in the home half of the second, launching the first of his two solo shots in the game to open the inning. The Pioneers added two more runs in the third to seize a 4-1 cushion, before doubling their lead with a three-run fifth, courtesy of home runs by Sandoval and Sherwood.

Hanson's RBI-double in the sixth gave EU its second run of the game and sliced the margin to 7-2, but MNU once again had an answer. After Healy tripled to open the bottom of the sixth, Josh Torrance brought him home with a sacrifice fly, and Freeman added a two-run homer to make it a 10-2 game.

Following Garrett's 5.0 innings to start the game, Navarette closed out the win for MNU with 2.0 shutout innings.

Rellihan led MNU with a 3-for-4 effort at the plate, while Sandoval, Sherwood and Freeman each added a pair of RBIs.

Up Next
Evangel will open a four-game Heart Conference series with Benedictine next Friday (April 9) with a 1 p.m. doubleheader in Atchison, Kan.

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—