The Basics

Game 1: Evangel 17, McPherson 0 (5 inn.) | Box Score

Game 2: Evangel 2, McPherson 1 | Box Score

Record: Evangel (26-6, 17-3), McPherson (16-20, 8-12)

Location: Springfield, Mo. (University Field)

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Valor Softball concluded their home stand on Saturday (Apr. 13) afternoon, hosting the McPherson Bulldogs for a doubleheader, looking to continue their winning streak.

Evangel's offense exploded in game one, scoring 17 runs in just five innings of play to take a 17-0 victory behind a five inning no hitter from Maddy Meierer. In game two, the Valor offense was not as explosive, but a pair of runs proved to be enough as Ashland Diggs and the Valor defense allowed just one run to be scored, en route to a 2-1 victory and sweep of McPherson, moving their winning streak to nine games.

NOTABLE

• Maddy Meierer took the win in game one, throwing a five inning no hitter and moving her overall record to 11-1 this season in the circle.

• Ashland Diggs earned her seventh win of the season in game two, moving to 7-2 this year.

• A 5-6 performance from the plate from Kenna Mayfield led the Valor bats on Saturday, as Evangel hit .538 in game one.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• After forcing a three up, three down, top of the first inning, Evangel scored 12 runs in the bottom of the inning to blow the game wide open early. Kenna Mayfield singled and stole second base, followed by a Annslee Leeviraphan walk. Mayfield stole third and scored with Leeviraphan on a Ellie Facklam double to right center field. A pair of errors allowed Megan Stone and Lauren Dill to get on base, scoring Facklam. Dill stole second and Riley Johannes singled, bringing up Danielle Cutbirth. Cutbirth doubled, scoring Dill and moving Johannes up to third, making it a 5-0 lead. Naomi Perkins singled to score Johannes and Kenna Mayfield was hit by a pitch to get on first. Annslee Leeviraphan reached base on an error, scoring Cutbirth and a Karlie Romines walk loaded the bases for Megan Stone. Stone, with a little help from the wind, blasted a bomb to deep center field, hitting a grand slam to clear the bases and give EU a 12-0 lead.

• Evangel added a trio of runs in the bottom of the second to take a 15-0 lead. Riley Johannes opened the inning by working a walk, and a Danielle Cutbirth double moved Johannes to third. Naomi Perkins walked to load the bases and Kenna Mayfield blasted a double to right center field, scoring Johannes and Cutbirth. Ellie Facklam hit a triple that very well could have been an inside the park home run to score Mayfield, ending scoring in the second inning for EU.

• The Valor added another pair of runs in the bottom of the third to cap off scoring for game one. Megan Stone and Lauren Dill both singled and Riley Johannes worked a walk to load the bases. A Danielle Cutbirth single scored Stone and a Naomi Perkins single scored Dill, making it a 17-0 ballgame.

• Maddy Meierer shut down the Bulldog bats, recording a no-hitter in the run rule game, 17-0.

• In game two, McPherson struck first, putting a run on the board in the top of the first inning on an error.

• Evangel responded by scoring a run of their own in the bottom of the inning. After Kenna Mayfield singled and stole second, Annslee Leeviraphan perfectly executed the sacrifice bunt, advancing Mayfield to third. An Ellie Facklam ground out scored Mayfield, making it a 1-1 game.

• The Valor plated their final run of the afternoon in the bottom of the third inning. Kenna Mayfield again displayed her great offensive play, singling and stealing second base, before scoring on a Annslee Leeviraphan single to right center field, giving EU a 2-1 lead.

• Neither team recorded a single hit after the third inning, as the Valor defense was able to maintain their slim leading, taking the sweep of McPherson, 2-1.

UP NEXT

Evangel opens a four game road stand next Thursday (Apr. 18) afternoon, traveling to North Newton, Kansas, to take on the Bethel Threshers in a doubleheader at 5:00 p.m.

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.