The Basics
Score: #8 Evangel 3, #4 Ottawa 2 | Box Score
Record: Evangel (24-25), Ottawa (29-23)
Location: Great Bend, Kan. (Great Bend Sports Complex)
GREAT BEND, Kan. – Valor Baseball fell to Kansas Wesleyan on Thursday night and moved to the consolation bracket on Friday, taking on the four-seeded Ottawa Braves in a win or go home matchup in the conference tournament.
Evangel took charge early on a lead off home run from Riley Mitchell, never losing the lead behind a strong start from Wyatt Keplar and a lockdown final two innings from Levi Loughridge to take the upset win over #4 Ottawa and advance to the second consolation game tomorrow (May 4th) afternoon.
NOTABLE
-
Riley Mitchell hit a lead off home run to give Evangel a 1-0 lead, his sixth home run of the season.
-
Wyatt Keplar earned his third win of the season as the third team All-KCAC member pitched seven innings, allowing just two runs on four hits.
-
Levi Loughridge recorded his third save of the season, pitching a scoreless two innings and allowing just one hit.
HOW IT HAPPENED
-
After Wyatt Keplar pitched a three up, three down top of the first inning, Riley Mitchell came up to bat and drove a ball to deep left field, hitting a home run to give EU a 1-0 lead.
-
The Valor added a pair of runs in the bottom of the third to add to their lead. Jeremy Vickers opened the inning with a double to left field and advanced to third on a fielders choice from Riley Mitchell. Mitchell stole second base and a Taylor McLeod single to second base scored Vickers. McLeod stole second and a throw down from the catcher allowed Mitchell to break for the plate, as he stole home to push the Valor lead out to 3-0.
-
Ottawa homered in the top of the fifth inning to make it a 3-2 game, but Keplar was in total control after the home run, pitching up to the eighth inning.
-
Levi Loughridge came in to relieve Keplar and pitching a strong final two innings to earn the save on Friday, solidifying Evangel's 3-2 win.
NEXT UP
Evangel Baseball will take on the winner of the #1 Kansas Wesleyan and #5 McPherson matchup tomorrow (May 4th) at 12:15 p.m. 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. Â