The Basics

Score: #3 Evangel 0, #2 Hope International 3 | Box Score

Record: Evangel (36-9), Hope International (36-15)

Location: San Antonio, Texas (St. Mary's University Softball Field)

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Valor Softball traveled nearly 11 hours south of Springfield to San Antonio to compete in the NAIA Softball Opening Rounds, looking to take a win against the strong Royals squad.

A Royals team that competes with exceptional pitching and timely hitting did exactly those two points, as the Valor could not generate a hit on offense and an untimely error on a base hit proved to be the difference as EU fell, 3-0.

NOTABLE

• Maddy Meierer had a strong outing for Evangel, throwing six innings and striking out four batters, as all the runs against her were unearned, scoring on a fielding error in the third inning.

• Evangel found solid contact, but were unable to put the ball in gaps, as all contact was right to fielders for Hope International.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Valor offense was able to get a hard hit ball to the outfield from Ellie Facklam in the first inning, the deepest hit ball of the afternoon, but the left fielder made the catch, bringing up the Royals offense.

• Maddy Meierer was able to work through trouble in both the first and second innings, but in the third inning, the Royals put a pair of runners on with an out. A hard hit ground ball likely would have loaded the bases for Hope International, but a misplay on the ball caused it to roll all the way to the center field fence, as all three runs came across to score, giving the Royals a 3-0 lead.

• Again the Valor bats could not generate anything on offense. Naomi Perkins was the lone Valor athlete to get the bat in play on both of her at bats and a hard hit pinch hit from Dakota Hale resulted in a line out to short.

• In the top of the seventh, the Valor went three up, three down, as the Royals pitcher threw a perfect game against EU, pushing the Valor down to an elimination matchup tomorrow.

QUOTABLE

"To say Puente (HIU) threw incredibly well is an understatement. They were able to get two runners on in the third inning and they got a big hit that we were not able to overcome", head coach Jay Halbrook stated. "I am really proud of our team and the way we carry ourselves every day. We are excited for the opportunity to compete with each other again tomorrow."

UP NEXT

Valor Softball will take on the loser of the #1 Our Lady of the Lake and #4 Cottey matchup on Tuesday (May 14th) afternoon at noon, looking to keep their season alive in the elimination game.

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.