The Basics

Game 1: Evangel 13, Baker 4 | Box Score

Game 2: Evangel 7, Baker 4 | Box Score

Record: Evangel (25-25, 10-22), Baker (27-21, 19-12)

Location: Springfield, Mo.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Valor Baseball concluded the 2023 season on Saturday, taking on the Baker Wildcats and looking to take a split of the final season and finish the season .500 overall.

Evangel's bats came alive on Saturday (Apr. 29) afternoon, leading to 20 combined runs scored and a strong outing from the Valor pitching staff, leading to a day two sweep against Baker and overall split with the Wildcats, 13-4 and 7-4.

HIGHLIGHTS

• The Valor recorded 27 hits on Saturday, the most in a single day of play.

• Levi Loughridge and Wyatt Keplar both earned their third wins of the season from the mound, both going 3-4 this season.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Evangel got on the board early, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Athanie Leeviraphan reached first base on an error, scoring on the next at bat on a Brennan Espy double. Loughridge doubled after to score Espy, taking a 2-0 lead into the top of the second.

• After holding Baker scoreless, the Valor scored seven runs in the bottom of the second. Carson Sturdefant opened the inning with a single to left center field. After two outs were recorded, Evangel's bats came alive. Jeremy Vickers singled through the left side, scoring Sturdefant. Vickers scored on a Leeviraphan single through the right side, followed by Bre. Espy being hit by a pitch. Loughridge singled to score Leeviraphan and a Eli Cook single scored Espy, making it 6-0, Evangel. After a pitching change, Brooks Espy doubled to left center, scoring Loughridge and a error on a Sturdefant ground ball scored both Espy and Cook, putting Evangel ahead, 9-0.

• Baker scored three runs in the top of the third and a run in the top of the fourth to make it a 9-4 ballgame.

• Evangel earned runs back in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings, retaking a nine-run lead into the final inning. Loughridge hit a solo home run in the fourth inning and in the fifth inning Nathan Weatherly doubled to open the inning. Riley Mitchell entered to run for Weatherly, advancing to third on a Vickers sacrifice bunt. Leeviraphan walked to get on first base, putting runners at the corners with just one out. A Bre. Espy single scored Mitchell and a Loughridge single scored Leeviraphan, making it 12-4 in favor of Evangel.

• Bro. Espy singled in the bottom of the sixth and came around to score on a Rodell Andrews III double to right field, solidifying Evangel's dominant 13-4 victory in game one.

• Baker scored the first run in game two to take a 1-0 lead.

• In the bottom of the second, Cook doubled to right field, scoring on a Sturdefant double to left center field, tying the game up at 1-1.

• In the top of the third, Baker took a 2-1 lead over Evangel, but the Valor scored two runs to take a lead in the bottom of the inning. Leeviraphan walked and stole second, scoring on a Bre. Espy single. Espy was caught stealing and a solo home run by Cook pushed EU to a 3-2 lead.

• Evangel and Baker played scoreless third, fourth, and fifth innings, but Baker took the lead in the top of the sixth on a two-run home run, 4-3.

• With time running out, Evangel needed to make a run on offense. The Valor answered the call in the bottom of the sixth, scoring four runs with two outs to take a 7-3 lead. Sturdefant singled and Andrews III walked to put two runners on with the pair of outs. Vickers was able to reach base on a Baker error, scoring Sturdefant and the flood gates opened for Evangel. Leeviraphan hit a clutch double to give EU the lead, scoring Andrews III, and a Bre. Espy double scored both Vickers and Leeviraphan, giving Evangel a 7-3 lead.

• Loughridge retired the side in the top of the seventh, earning the win, 7-3, and ending Evangel's 2023 season on a high note.

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.  

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