The Basics

Game 2: Evangel 7, Avila 3 | Box Score

Game 3: Evangel 3, Avila 5 | Box Score

Record: Evangel (7-14, 3-9), Avila (7-11, 4-6)

Location: Kansas City, Mo. (The Z)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Evangel Baseball concluded their series with Avila on Saturday (Mar. 8) afternoon, looking to earn a series win by sweeping the Eagles.

The Valor would use a strong start from Wyatt Keplar and clutch hitting to take a 7-3 win in game two and would fight tooth and nail in game three, but ultimately fell, 5-3, in their seven inning matchup.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• After a scoreless first inning, Clay Palen doubled to right center and scored on a Jeremiah Leaming ground out to give EU a 1-0 lead.

• Evangel added a run when Evan Baptiste singled to get on base and scored on a Matthew Olson fielders choice.

• Palen singled in the sixth inning and scored on an Avila error to give the Valor a 3-0 lead.

• Back to back home runs for the Eagles tied the game at 3-3 in the sixth inning.

• The Valor fought back, scoring a run after Baptiste singled and scored on a bases loaded walk, while a Olson double scored Quentin Edwards and Palen, giving EU a 6-3 lead.

• Edwards hit a solo home run in the top of the ninth to increase Evangel's lead, solidifying EU's 7-3 win in their first game of the day.

• Avila took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first of the final game in the series.

• Evangel responded by using a Edwards single and Palen home run to give EU a 2-1 lead.

• The Eagles quickly responded by scoring a pair of runs in the bottom of the second inning to re take the lead, 3-2.

• Palen scored Baptiste on a base hit in the third inning to again tie the game up at 3-3.

• The Valor nearly tied the game up after Avila took a 4-3 lead, as Edwards hit a ground rule double that would have scored Baptiste, had it not jumped the fence.

• EU could not muster any additional runs, falling 5-3 in the series finale.

QUOTABLE 

"Wyatt Keplar was outstanding today. He stood in the gap for us and responded to what had happened in game one. Hayden Larson did an excellent job coming in and closing the door for us," head coach Sam Jones stated. "Quentin Edwards, Clay Palen, and Evan Baptiste all put together great at bats today and were difference makers at the dish. Some tough breaks came in game three, especially a ground rule double that would have scored a run. I felt like the game could have gone either way. We just need to get our guys rested now and be ready to go on Tuesday."

NOTABLE

• Quentin Edwards went 4-7 with three runs and an RBI to lead the Valor from the plate.

• Clay Palen also had a strong day, going 3-6 with four runs scored and two RBIs.

• Hayden Larson earned his second save of the season in game two while TJ Newman picked up the win, his second of the year.

• Wyatt Keplar had a strong start for EU in game two, striking out six batters in 5.2 innings of work.

NEXT UP

Evangel Baseball travels to Wichita, Kan., on Tuesday (Mar. 11) afternoon, taking on the Friends Falcons in a doubleheader beginning at 12:00 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.