The Basics
Game 2: Evangel 4, #12 Kansas Wesleyan 13 | Box Score
Game 3: Evangel 2, #12 Kansas Wesleyan 4 | Box Score
Record: Evangel (2-9, 0-3), Kansas Wesleyan (8-6, 3-0)
Location: Springfield, Mo. (University Field)
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – On another overcast morning, Evangel Baseball concluded their series with the Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes, looking to take at least a win against the nationally ranked squad.
Game two began similar to how game one did, as EU took an early 1-0 lead over the Coyotes, but a big six run fifth inning for Kansas Wesleyan proved to be the difference in the second game, as EU fell 13-4. In the final matchup of the series, both Evangel and Kansas Wesleyan played a tightly contested and competitive matchup. The Valor had chances late to rally, but could not find the clutch hit they needed, as they fell 4-2.
HOW IT HAPPENED
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In the first inning, the Valor took an early 1-0 lead over the Coyotes. Matthew Olson reached on an error from the KWU third baseman and came around to score on a Quentin Edwards single to left field.
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Kansas Wesleyan scored three runs in the top of the third to take a 3-1 lead over EU.
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In the bottom of the third, Shane Poe reached base on an error and scored on a Brenden Coffindaffer sacrifice fly, making it a 3-2 ballgame.
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Kansas Wesleyan scored seven combined runs over the fourth and fifth innings, taking a 10-2 lead over EU.Â
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Evangel threatened in the bottom of the fifth, using an Olson single to open the inning. Edwards and Coffindaffer both singled and an error allowed Olson to score, making the game 10-3.
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KWU added two runs in the top of the sixth and a run in the top of the seventh to make it a 13-3 game with just nine outs remaining for EU.
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Evan Baptiste opened the bottom of the seventh with a triple, scoring on a Coffindaffer double to make the deficit nine, 13-4.
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Neither team could score in the eighth or ninth innings, as the Valor fell 13-4 in game two of the three game series.
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Despite Kansas Wesleyan scoring a run to open game three, Evangel responded with a score of their own, tying the game up at 1-1 after Poe singled and scored on a Edwards groundout.
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The Coyotes scored a pair of runs in the top of the second to extend their lead out to 3-1.
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Clay Palen singled to open the bottom of the second, followed by base hits from Heath Perry and Peyton Gayer to score Palen, putting the ballgame at 3-2.
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Both teams would be scoreless in the third and fourth inning, until Kansas Wesleyan scored a run to take a 4-2 lead in the fifth.
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In the bottom of the fifth, Olson and Baptiste worked walks and Edwards singled to load the bases with just one out in the inning. A strikeout and line out ended Evangel's chances in the inning, leaving three runners stranded.
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Hayden Larson kept the Valor hopes alive, pitching a strong relief performance and striking out the side in the sixth inning.
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Evangel was able to get a pair of runners in scoring position with just one out in the bottom of the sixth, but a pair of strikeouts left another pair of runners stranded, trailing 4-2.
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The Valor offense could not muster the hits needed in the bottom of the seventh, as EU fell, 4-2.
QUOTABLEÂ
"I thought both Wyatt Keplar and Hayden Larson were excellent today and deserved better," head coach Sam Jones stated. "We did not compete well at the plate and want to be in the big moments."
NOTABLE
NEXT UP
Evangel Baseball hosts the McPherson Bulldogs on Friday (Feb. 21) afternoon to open a three game series beginning at 1:00 p.m. in Springfield, Missouri.
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
