Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 Box Scores: Game 1 | Game 2
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Valor took on William Penn on Tuesday afternoon, looking to take the series from the Heart North conference foe. Evangel did just that, taking game one and the series, 8-7, but ultimately fell short of the sweep in game two, 14-5.
HIGHLIGHTS
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Evangel (11-8) picked up where they had left off yesterday offensively, hitting .360 in game one to take an 8-7 win.
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The Valor's Austin Dill (4-2) took the mound in game one, claiming the victory after pitching nearly a complete game (6.1 innings). Parker Dinwiddie recorded a save in game one after closing the door on a William Penn comeback.
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In game two, Evangel maintained a lead for the majority of the game, but William Penn used a huge sixth inning to score seven runs, giving them the victory, 14-5.
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Dylan Blehm (0-1) recorded the loss in game two after a tough outing against a Statesmen offense that got hot towards the end of the game.
HOW IT HAPPENED
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Athanie Leeviraphan played well on offense in game one, scoring Nathan Lamb after he had singled to kick off the game. Leeviraphan scored the second Evangel run of the day by stealing home while the WPU defense was attempting a pickoff at first.
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Brandon Ulm displayed his power at the plate for the second consecutive day by hitting a solo shot to deep left field in the second inning, giving EU a 3-0 lead.
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William Penn finally broke through in the fourth inning, scoring a run on a single after their leadoff hitter doubled to begin the inning.
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WPU grabbed a lead after a big fifth inning, scoring a run on a fielder's choice and hitting a three run home run to take a 5-3 lead.
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Not to be outdone, Evangel countered with a big fifth inning of their own as Leeviraphan scored Mason Hansen and Lamb after they both got on base with a pair of singles. Athanie then scored on a single by Dinwiddie. Dalton Cook bunted to get on in the same inning and scored on a wild pitch. Dinwiddie rounded out the runs in the inning after Grant Kosanke scored him on a fielder's choice. After the dust had settled, EU led, 8-5.
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Dill continued to shut down the Statesmen bats and it took until the seventh inning for William Penn to nearly stage a comeback. WPU hit a two run blast with two outs to come within a run, but Dinwiddie closed the game out, striking out the final batter of the inning.
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WPU began game two with the lead after four of their first six batters got on base. Three runners scored on three hits and a walk, giving WPU a 3-0 lead.
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Evangel scored their first run on a Noah Suiter homer to left field in the second inning. Hansen hit a home run to right field in the following inning, tying the game at three apiece by scoring Lamb who had gotten on base with a single.
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Leeviraphan scored in the third inning after numerous WPU throwing errors and Blehm singled to score Suiter, giving EU a 5-3 lead in the third.
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William Penn proceeded to find their offense in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings, scoring 11 runs throughout to grab a 14-5 lead, and ultimately the victory.
NOTABLE
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Evangel recorded their fourth consecutive game with a home run in game two.
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Dill recorded his team leading fourth win of the season in game one.
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Dinwiddie recorded his first save of the season and of his career in the first game of the day.
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Ulm recorded his third home run of the season in game one.
QUOTABLE
"Our guys brought the same energy & focus they brought after sweeping Bethany to practice last week after being swept," Evangel head coach Tyler Henry said. "That allowed us to improve in a few key areas and enabled us to get off to a good start in conference play. We went back and forth with William Penn all series and our guys just kept responding and battling. I'm very proud of their efforts."
UP NEXT
Evangel will switch gears and take on non-conference opponent Oakland City on Tuesday (Mar. 15) in a single nine-inning game at University Field. First pitch is set for 2:00 p.m. tomorrow afternoon.
For the latest information on Evangel Athletics, visit Facebook at Facebook.com/EvangelValor, Twitter (@EvangelValor), or EvangelAthletics.com. Fans can also receive updates on their favorite EU teams by downloading the Evangel Athletics Gameday App through the App Store or Google Play.
—#OneValor—
