The Basics

Game 1: (RV) Evangel 0, (18) Central Methodist 1 (10 inn.) | Box Score

Game 2: (RV) Evangel 3, (18) Central Methodist 1 | Box Score

Record: Evangel (23-9, 10-2), Central Methodist (21-7, 8-2)

Location: Fayette, Mo.

FAYETTE, Mo. – Valor Softball hit the road to take on the nationally ranked Central Methodist Eagles on Saturday (Apr. 8) afternoon, looking to continue their conference winning streak.

Game one was a battle of aces as Central Methodist was able to outlast the Valor in a ten innings pitchers duel, 1-0. Evangel came out victorious in game two as they were able to get on the board early and use strong pitching from Micaiah Cordell to ride to a 3-1 victory over the nationally ranked squad.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cordell earned her team leading eleventh win of the season, striking out five batters and allowing just a single run and three hits in the game two win.

• Ali Raley led the team from the plate, going 3-7 with an RBI through both games.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Samantha Romano and Jordyn Ball put up a pitchers duel for the ages in game one, as neither team was able to score in the first seven innings of regulation and two innings of extras.

• In the top of the tenth, the international rule took place, placing a runner automatically on second base. Evangel found a solid chance to score when Raley singled, advancing Brooke Arnold to third base with just one out, but the Valor came up short, leaving Arnold stranded. CMU was able to score the walk-off run in the bottom of the tenth on a single with one out, taking the 1-0 win.

• Evangel and Central Methodist both had scoreless first and second innings, but the Valor scored two runs in the top of the third to take a lead. Naomi Perkins singled and stole second and third base, scoring on a CMU error. Megan Stone had been hit by a pitch and stole second, scoring on a Mariah Hanner single to right field and taking a 2-0 lead. 

• Ali Raley hit a blast to left center field for a insurance run for Evangel in the top of the fifth, putting the Valor ahead, 3-0.

• CMU would earn a run back in the bottom of the sixth, but the Valor defense and Cordell shut down the Eagles bats, taking the 3-1 victory and split with CMU.

NOTABLE

• Six of the nine Valor batters in game two recorded hits for Evangel.

• The win was an extra sweet victory sponsored by Saint George's Donuts for every Evangel win over a nationally ranked opponent. Central Methodist was ranked No. 18 before Saturday's game.

UP NEXT

The Valor will hit the road on Wednesday (Apr. 12) afternoon for a doubleheader matchup against the MidAmerica Nazarene Pioneers, beginning at 3:00 p.m. in Olathe, Kan.

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—