The Basics

Game 1: Evangel 3, (RV) Avila 2 | Box Score

Game 2: Evangel 4, (RV) Avila 3 | Box Score

Record: Evangel (24-6, 15-3), Avila (26-14, 13-5)

Location: Springfield, Mo. (University Field)

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Valor Softball returned home on Tuesday (Apr. 9) afternoon, taking on the Avila Eagles in a battle of first place in the conference standings. Both teams came into Tuesday's action with a similar conference record (13-3) as both squads looked to take an advantage in the late season race.

Both games were not big for offense, but timely hitting proved to be the difference in both matches for Evangel. In game one, a bases loaded, no out situation for the Valor in the bottom of the seventh saw EU walk it off, 3-2, after Phoebe Gardner cleared the bases with a game winning double. In game two, the Valor trailed 2-0 early, but consistent pitching from Ashland Diggs and Madi Bentley shut down the Avila bats, as the Valor scored four runs and took a 4-3 win and sweep of Avila on Tuesday.

NOTABLE

• Maddy Meierer took the win in game one, moving her overall record to 10-1 this season in the circle.

• Ashland Diggs earned her sixth win of the season in game two while Madi Bentley earned her first save of the season.

• A 4-6 (.667) performance from the plate from Karlie Romines led the Valor bats on Tuesday.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Evangel came out shaky to open game one, as several walks allowed the Eagles to score the first run of the ballgame.

• Both pitchers settled in after the first inning and neither team produced much of any offense until Avila added an additional run in the top of the fifth, taking a 2-0 lead over EU.

• With just one hit on the afternoon, the Valor needed a big bottom of the seventh inning to take the game. Karlie Romines opened the inning with a single through the left side of the infield. Keeley Aaron entered the game to run for Romines and a Megan Stone single advanced Aaron to second. Lauren Dill used a patient at-bat to work a walk and load the bases for Phoebe Gardner. Gardner came up to bat and found her pitch, driving it up the left field line to clear the bases with a double, as EU earned the walk-off win in game one, 3-2.

• Avila once again took a 2-0 lead in game two, after their at bats in the second inning.

• The Valor put a run on the board in the bottom of the second inning. Karlie Romines singled and Autumn Nold entered to run for the catcher. Nold stole second and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt from Lauren Dill. Phoebe Gardner drove a groundout up the middle to score Nold, making it a 2-1 ballgame. 

• Evangel struck again in the bottom of the third inning, scoring another run to tie the game. Kenna Mayfield hit a bunt single and Annslee Leeviraphan reached base on an Avila error. A Karlie Romines single to left center field scored Mayfield, making it a 2-2 tie.

• In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Valor offense scored a pair of runs. Phoebe Gardner doubled down the left field line, followed by a Danielle Cutbirth single to put runners on the corners with just one out. After a strikeout, the Eagles intentionally walked Kenna Mayfield to load the bases and make it a force out at any base. Annslee Leeviraphan came through for the Valor offense, hitting a hard hit single to the third baseman that scored both Gardner and Cutbirth, putting the Valor ahead, 4-2.

• Avila plated a run in the top of the sixth but Madi Bentley was called upon in relief, shutting the door on the Eagles and earning the win and sweep for the Valor, 4-3.

UP NEXT

Evangel plays host to the McPherson College Bulldogs on Saturday (Apr. 13) afternoon with a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 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.