The Basics

Game 1: #24 Evangel 10, York 2 (5 inn.) | Box Score

Game 2: #24 Evangel 11, York 3 (5 inn.) | Box Score

Record: Evangel (22-6, 6-2), York (6-20, 1-7)

Location: Springfield, Mo. (University Field)

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Valor Softball concluded their home stand on Saturday (Mar. 22) afternoon, hosting the York Panthers for senior day while looking to get back on a winning streak.

Evangel did just that on Saturday, using strong performances from several different players to fuel their way to a sweep of the Panthers, 10-2 and 11-3, in the doubleheader.

NOTABLE

• Maddy Meierer earned the win in game one, moving to 12-2 on the season.

• Madi Bentley earned her seventh win of the season in game two, moving to 7-2 in the circle.

• Ellie Facklam had a strong day at the plate, going 7-8 with three runs and two RBIs, after going 4-4 in game one.

• Danielle Cutbirth went 3-3 in game one, finishing with a pair of runs and RBIs.

• Every member of the Valor game one starting lineup recorded a hit on Saturday.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• After a scoreless first two innings, Evangel's offense exploded for seven runs in the bottom of the third, taking a 7-0 lead over the Panthers. Danielle Cutbirth singled and scored on a Kenna Mayfield single, while Mayfield came across to score on a Naomi Perkins fielder's choice sacrifice to give EU a 2-0 lead. Ellie Facklam doubled and scored with Perkins on a Karlie Romines triple, to push EU out to a 4-0 lead. Keeley Aaron entered to run for Romines and scored on a Karli Facklam double, with Facklam scoring on a Lauren Dill single. Mayfield closed scoring for EU, hitting a single to score Dill to make it a 7-0 ballgame.

• York took advantage of a catcher's interference, scoring a pair of runs to make it a 7-2 game in the fifth inning.

• Camryn Casey and Dill both doubled to open the fifth, while Cutbirth doubled to score both runners, making it a 9-2 game. Evangel secured the run rule victory as Cutbirth came across to score on a E. Facklam single to take a 10-2 victory.

• In game two, Evangel took advantage of a pair of York errors to score five runs in the first inning, taking a 5-0 lead.

• The Valor added a run in the bottom of the second when Romines singled to score Perkins, who had walked to get on base.

• Evangel's offense did not stop there, scoring three runs in the bottom of the third inning to grab a 9-0 lead. After a quick first two outs, the Valor rallied, using a triple from Kenna Mayfield to open the offense. Perkins was hit by a pitch and single from E. Facklam scored Mayfield, to give EU a 7-0 lead. Romines worked a walk to load the bases and Riley Johannes was hit by a pitch to score Perkins. K. Facklam worked a walk with the bases loaded to close scoring for EU when Aaron scored, taking a 9-0 lead.

• York added three runs in the top of the fifth to make it a 9-3 ballgame in game two.

• E. Facklam opened the bottom of the fifth inning with a double and Autumn Nold singled to get both runners in scoring position, as K. Facklam doubled to score both, solidifying EU's 11-3 win in game two.

QUOTABLE

"Today was a good day to honor our seniors. We are so very proud of the young women they are and the leaders they will be in their communities. They have each faced adversity and overcome that with grace and dignity we can all learn from," head coach Jay Halbrook stated. "We were able to capitalize in pressure situations and also create pressure well today. It was a good day offensively and defensively. I'm proud of where we are at the moment and look forward to the Lord building us into a larger platform as the season continues."

UP NEXT

Evangel Softball opens a four game road trip on Tuesday (Mar. 25) afternoon, taking on the Friends Falcons in a doubleheader beginning at 2:00 p.m. in Wichita, 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.