The Basics

Game 1: Evangel 15, Hannibal-LaGrange 5 (7 inn.) | Box Score

Game 2: Evangel 17, Hannibal-LaGrange 1 | Box Score

Record: Evangel (5-2), Hannibal LaGrange (0-3)

Location: Springfield, Mo.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Valor Baseball concluded their three-game series against the Hannibal-LaGrange Trojans on Saturday (Feb. 10) afternoon, on a chilly, windy day at University Field.

In the nine-inning match of game two, Evangel's bats came alive, as the Valor were able to run-rule the visiting Trojans, shortening the game to just seven innings, scoring 15 runs to take a 15-5 win against HLGU. In the game three of the series, a seven-inning matchup, Evangel continued their strong offensive play in game two, scoring 17 runs and allowing just one Trojan run, taking a 17-1 win and sweep of Hannibal-LaGrange.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Evangel swung .424 on Saturday, scoring 32 total runs.

• Isaac Daley took the win in game one while Colby Vavruska took the win in game two.

• The Evangel pitching staff struck out 17 Trojan batters on Saturday.

• Taylor McLeod continued his strong weekend, leading the team with two doubles.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• After a scoreless first inning, Hannibal-LaGrange opened scoring, putting up two runs in the top of the second to take an early 2-0 lead.

• The Valor quickly evened the score in the bottom of the second inning. Taylor McLeod continued his strong weekend, hitting a double to right field, ultimately scoring on a Jeremy Vickers double down the left field line. Vickers would advance to third and ultimately score on a Adam Denniston ground out, tying the game at 2-2.

• Riley Mitchell hit a bunt single to open the third inning, then stole second and third base. An Eli Cook ground out scored Mitchell, giving EU a 3-2 lead.

• Evangel's offense exploded in the fourth inning, scoring eight runs to jump out to an 11-2 lead. Although HLGU was able to record two early outs in the inning, the Valor went to work. Jeremy Vickers forced a walk, then advanced to second on a balk. A Matthew Olson single scored Vickers, followed by an Isaac Miller walk to put runners on first and second. Riley Mitchell followed the walks with a single, scoring Olson. An error on the right fielder on the same hit scored Miller, as EU took a 6-2 lead. Levi Loughridge worked a walk and Mitchell scored on a balk. An Eli Cook single scored Loughridge from second. The Valor would continue their strong offense as Taylor McLeod singled and a Cole Leonhart double to left center field scored Cook and McLeod. Jeremy Vickers capped off the scoring for Evangel, hitting a single to center field, scoring Leonhart to make it an 11-2 game.

• With Evangel just a run away from a seven-inning run rule, HLGU generated enough offense to score three runs in the top of the sixth inning, making it an 11-5 game.

• Evangel scored four runs in the seventh inning to claim the run rule over the Trojans. Holton Simmons doubled to left field to open the inning while Brooks Espy got on base via error. Evangel would record two outs after, but the bats warmed up to score runs. A Rhett Hayward single scored Simmons, followed by a Justus Cherrico walk to load the bases. Jeremiah Leaming came up clutch for the Valor, hitting a full count, two out single to left field to score Garret Trantham and Hayward. Cade Beshore entered in a pinch hitting opportunity and hit a single to right center, scoring Leaming and giving the Valor a 15-5 win in game one.

• Hannibal-LaGrange opened Saturday's final game up with an early 1-0 lead, hitting a sacrifice fly. This would be the Trojans lone run of the final game.

• An Isaac Miller walk opened the bottom of the first inning, followed by a Riley Mitchell bunt single. Both runners stole second and third and Levi Loughridge was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Eli Cook worked the count and then was also hit by a pitch, scoring Miller. A Taylor McLeod double down the left field line scored both Mitchell and Loughridge, making it 3-1. Rhett Hayward singled the next at-bat, scoring McLeod and giving the Valor a 4-1 lead.

• Evangel scored five runs in the second inning, using several walks and Trojan miscues to score their runs. Although EU only recorded two hits, three walks and a pair of passed balls scored runs, making it a 9-1 game.

• The Valor again scored five runs in the third inning, once again taking advantage of pitching issues from HLGU. After Jeremy Vickers was hit by a pitch, Isaac Miller walked, bringing up Riley Mitchell. Mitchell doubled down the right field line to score both runners. An Eli Cook double scored Mitchell, and an error on the Trojans scored Cook. Taylor McLeod scored to cap off scoring in the third inning on an Arly Miller single, making it 14-1, EU.

• In the bottom of the fifth inning, Evangel added three runs. Garret Trantham was hit by a pitch, followed by a Carson Sturdefant single. Holton Simmons walked to load the bases and a Parker Ellifritz ground out scored Trantham. An error on the Trojans allowed Sturdefant and Simmons to score, making it a 17-1 ballgame.

• The relieving trio of Jed Montgomery, Dylan Gallup, and Will Foster shut the door on HLGU, solidifying Evangel's 17-1 victory and sweep of the Trojans.

NEXT UP

Evangel Baseball opens conference play next weekend in a three-game series against the McPherson Bulldogs, beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Friday (Feb. 16) 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—