The Basics

Game 2: Evangel 5, Southwestern 7 | Box Score

Game 3: Evangel 4, Southwestern 8 | Box Score

Record: Evangel (13-29, 8-21), Southwestern (11-24, 6-21)

Location: Springfield, Mo. (University Field)

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Evangel Baseball concluded their series with Southwestern on Saturday (Apr. 12) afternoon, looking to take the series against their conference foe.

The Valor nearly were able to pull off the comeback in game two, but ultimately fell 7-5 after EU had the tying run at the plate. In game three, Evangel struggled to find their offense, scoring late to come within four runs of Southwestern's lead, but falling 8-4 and dropping the series.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Southwestern opened game two of the series up with another home run in the first inning, this time a two run blast that put the Moundbuilders ahead, 2-0.

• Evangel tacked on a run in the bottom of the second inning when Matthew Olson hit a sacrifice fly to score Clay Palen, who had gotten on base on a single earlier in the inning.

• The Valor tied the game up at 2-2 in the bottom of the third inning when Quentin Edwards doubled to score Rhett Hayward, who courtesy ran for the catcher, Kannon Perry, who had been hit by a pitch to get on base.

• Southwestern quickly retook the lead in the top of the fourth inning scoring a pair of runs. The Moundbuilders added three runs on a home run in the seventh inning to extend their lead out to 7-2.

• Evangel applied pressure on Southwestern in the bottom of the eighth and ninth inning on Saturday. Palen singled and scored on a Brenden Coffindaffer double to make it a 7-3 deficit. In the ninth, K. Perry was hit by another pitch and Edwards singled to put a pair of runners on. Palen doubled to score both runners, making it just a 7-5 deficit and bringing the game tying run to the plate. The Valor were unable to muster enough offense with two outs following their scoring, ultimately falling 7-5.

• EU would again trail early to open game three, as Southwestern scored three runs in the top of the second to take a 3-0 lead over the Valor.

• Evangel scored a run in the bottom of the second when Edwards singled and scored on a Matthew Olson fielders choice.

• Southwestern added a pair of runs in both the third and fourth innings to take a 7-1 lead over Evangel.

• After a scoring drought from both teams, the Moundbuilders added an additional run in the top of the sixth inning to extend their lead to 8-1.

• Evangel fought back in the bottom of the sixth, scoring three runs to draw within four runs of the Moundbuilders lead. Palen walked and Coffindaffer reached on a error, before Hayward singled to load the bases. Evan Baptiste ripped a single to left field that the left fielder over played, letting the ball get past him and scoring three runs to make it an 8-4 game.

• The Valor offense could not put forth any additional runs on Saturday, falling 8-4 and losing the series, 2-1.

NOTABLE

• Evan Baptiste, Matthew Olson, and Clay Palen all led Evangel with two RBIs on Saturday.

• Brenden Coffindaffer led Evangel at the plate, going 3-5 on Saturday.

• Both Palen and Hayward scored three runs to lead EU.

• The Evangel pitching staff was able to strike out 17 Southwestern batters on Saturday.

NEXT UP

Evangel Baseball hits the road to take on the 14th ranked Oklahoma Wesleyan Eagles on Tuesday (Apr. 15) afternoon in Bartlesville, Okla., at 2:00 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.