The Basics

Game 1: Evangel 8, Williams Baptist 5 | Box Score

Game 2: Evangel 5, Williams Baptist 4 | Box Score

Record: Evangel (2-0), Williams Baptist (0-2)

Location: Springfield, Mo.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Valor Baseball opened their 2024 campaign on Thursday (Feb. 1) afternoon, taking on the Williams Baptist Eagles in a pair of seven inning games.

In game one, Evangel would use a strong third inning, scoring three runs to take a lead over the Eagles and score in every ensuing inning, taking a 8-5 win. After the Eagles took an early lead in game two, Evangel scored three runs in the fourth inning to retake the lead, while freshman Cooper Wilken used four innings of relief pitching to close the door on WBU in the 5-4 win.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Riley Mitchell swung a hot bat on Thursday, going 6-6 from the plate and driving in five runs in games one and two.

• Both Mitchell and Levi Loughridge went deep on Thursday.

• The Evangel pitching staff struck out 14 batters combined on Thursday.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Both teams scored a run in the first inning of game one, both on at-bat errors (WBU scored on a wild pitch, EU scored on a passed ball.)

• In the third inning, Riley Mitchell singled to left field, scoring on an Eli Cook double to left. Cook ended up touching home on a Levi Loughridge big fly to left center field, putting the Valor ahead, 4-1.

• The Valor scored a sacrifice fly in the fourth, scored a run on a bases loaded hit by pitch in the fifth, and a Mitchell home run to lead off the sixth gave EU a 7-1 lead over the Eagles.

• Williams Baptist made things interesting in the top of the seventh inning, scoring four runs, but a relief appearance by Truett Gardner shut the door on the Eagles offense, en route to the save.

• Wyatt Kepler pitched three innings, allowing just one run to earn the win in game one.

• Williams Baptist took advantage of miscues to open game two, scoring three runs in the first inning and an additional run in the second inning to take an early 4-0 lead. 

• Evangel's offense remained steady, scoring a run in the second after a Rodell Andrews III single and a Rhett Hayward double, making it a 4-1 game.

• Isaac Miller opened the third inning with a lead off triple and Riley Mitchell got Miller home on a sacrifice fly, making it a 4-2 ballgame.

• Evangel used clutch hitting with two outs in the fourth inning of game two to overcome their two run deficit. Rhett Hayward and Cade Beshore would both single with two outs. A run would score on a Isaac Miller double and Riley Mitchell would clear the bases with a single through the left side to give the Valor a 5-4 lead. 

• Cooper Wilken allowed just one hit in four innings of work, striking out three batters to solidify Evangel's 5-4 victory, earning the win in his first collegiate relief appearance.

NEXT UP

Evangel Baseball will conclude their four game series with the Eagles of Williams Baptist on Friday (Feb. 2) afternoon, beginning at 12:00 p.m. at University Field.

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—