The Basics

Game 1: (RV) Evangel 4, Saint Mary 1 | Box Score

Game 2: (RV) Evangel 2, Saint Mary 7 | Box Score

Record: Evangel (31-7, 22-4), Saint Mary (29-19, 18-8)

Location: Springfield, Mo. (University Field)

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Valor Softball played host to the Saint Mary Spires on Tuesday (Apr. 23) afternoon, needing a win to claim the KCAC Conference Regular Season Title. 

The Valor came out and attacked late in game one, pushing across three runs in the sixth inning behind a stellar performance from Maddy Meierer to earn the 4-1 win in game one. Saint Mary jumped out to an early lead on Evangel in game two, ultimately taking a 7-2 win and split with the Spires, but clinching the regular season title and automatic bid to the NAIA National Tournament with their win in game one.

NOTABLE

• Maddy Meierer took the win in game one, throwing a complete game, moving to 14-1 this season in the circle as a freshman.

• Megan Stone came through in game one, getting a clutch hit with the bases loaded in the sixth inning to give the Valor the lead.

• Evangel clinched the regular season conference title in game one, their first time advancing to the national tournament since 2008.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• After Maddy Meierer was able to work herself out of two bases loaded situations in the first and second inning of game one, the Valor put a run up on the scoreboard in the bottom of the second. Megan Stone reached on a fielders choice, advanced to second on a Phoebe Gardner walk, went to third on a wild pitch, and came across to score on a Reagan Jenkins sacrifice fly to make it a 1-0 ballgame.

• Saint Mary scored in the top of the fifth inning to tie the game up at 1-1.

• After not recording a single hit for five innings, the Valor offense woke up in the sixth. Kenna Mayfield singled to left field, followed by an Annslee Leeviraphan single. An Ellie Facklam sacrifice bunt advanced both runners and Karlie Romines was intentionally walked to load the bases and make it a possible force at any base. The seasoned veteran, Megan Stone, came up to bat in a crucial spot for the Valor and came through, knocking a hit through the left side of the infield and scoring both Mayfield and Leeviraphan. Danielle Cutbirth singled on a bunt to the pitcher to score Autumn Nold, who had come into run for Romines, making it a 4-1 Valor lead.

• A pair of fielders choices and a ground out capped off game one, as the Valor were victorious, 4-1.

• Saint Mary jumped on Evangel early in game two, scoring four runs through the first two innings of Tuesday's game.

• The Valor did not crack the scoreboard until Dakota Hale blasted a big fly to left field, making it a 4-1 game.

• The Spires responded by scoring three runs in the top of the sixth, making it a 7-1 lead for USM.

• Karlie Romines singled to open the bottom of the seventh and Kristyn Ramos entered to run for the catcher. Ramos stole second base and advanced to third on a passed ball, ultimately scoring an additional run for the Valor on a Riley Johannes sacrifice fly to make it 7-2. Evangel could not score any additional runs, falling 7-2 and taking a split with the Spires.

UP NEXT

Evangel will await the conclusion of the regular season to see who they will take on in the first round of the conference tournament next Wednesday, May 1st in Great Bend, Kansas.

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.