The Basics

Game 1: Evangel 5, Harris-Stowe 0 | Box Score

Game 2: Evangel 12, Harris-Stowe 0 | Box Score

Record: Evangel (15-3), Harris-Stowe (3-13)

Location: Springfield, Mo. (University Field)

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – On Sunday, the Valor Baseball team concluded their series with the Harris-Stowe Hornets. Looking to come away with the series win, the Valor put forth an exceptional offensive and defensive effort, shutting out the Hornets in game one and game two, 5-0 and 12-0, leading to the series sweep.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Levi Loughridge continued his hot day at the plate, hitting a grand slam in game two, just a day removed from hitting for the cycle.

• Evangel's pitching shut the Hornets out and struck out a combined 18 batters.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Neither team scored in the first three innings of the match, but the Valor opened the game wide open in the bottom of the fourth.

• An Athanie Leeviraphan single was followed by a single from Eli Cook, that advanced Leeviraphan to third base. Cook stole second and a Loughridge single through the left side of the infield scored Leeviraphan and Cook, giving Evangel a 2-0 lead.

• Brennan Espy doubled, moving Loughridge to third and on the next at-bat, Carson Sturdefant hit a home run, scoring Espy and Loughridge and giving the Valor a 5-0 lead. 

• The combination of Colby Vavruska and Nick Hays made sure there would be no chance at any Hornets comeback, allowing just three hits over the final three innings of play, leading to EU's 5-0 win.

• Evangel got on the board early in game two. A Leeviraphan walk and Cook hit by pitch, followed by a Loughridge single loaded the bases for Evangel with two outs. Brennan Espy came up clutch in his at-bat, hitting a double that scored Athanie and Eli, giving EU a 2-0 lead.

• Matthew Olson singled and scored on an error and sacrifice fly from Brooks Espy in the following inning, making it 3-0 in favor of the Valor.

• A Sturdefant single in the third inning scored another run for Evangel as Cook had gotten on base via single earlier in the third inning.

• The Valor blew the game wide open in the fourth inning. A Rodell Andrews III single kicked off the offense and was followed by a Harris-Stowe error and hit by pitch to load the bases for EU. Another Hornet miscue scored Andrews III, while a Cook single scored Holton Simmons who had been running for the catcher, Brooks Espy. With the bases loaded, Loughridge, who had been arguably the hottest hitter this season, hit a grand slam, clearing the bases and giving the Valor a 10-0 lead.

• A Simmons double and Leeviraphan single in the fifth inning gave the Valor a pair of insurance runs when Hunter Condon singled to left field, pushing Evangel's lead to 12-0.

• While all the offense was happening for Evangel, the Valor pitching staff were working hard to keep the Hornets off the bases. The combination of Rolando Galvez, Loughridge, Dylan Gallup, Jed Montgomery, and Johnny Mares allowed just two hits total in the second game, leading to the shutout victory and sweep of Harris-Stowe, 12-0.

QUOTABLE

"We accomplished what we needed to with our non-conference schedule," Evangel head coach Tyler Henry stated. "We are still improving but feel prepared to compete well in conference play and are excited about the opportunities starting next week against Mount Mercy."

NOTABLE

• Evangel finished their non-conference schedule, 15-3, their most wins in non-conference since 2004.

• The Valor offense combined for 22 hits on Sunday.

NEXT UP

Evangel Baseball opens conference play on Friday (Mar. 10) afternoon at 12 p.m. against the Mustangs of Mount Mercy at home.

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—