The Basics

Game 1: #21 Evangel 12, Sterling 5 | Box Score

Game 2: #21 Evangel 4, Sterling 7 (9 inn.) | Box Score

Record: Evangel (31-7, 15-3), Sterling (27-13, 14-6)

Location: Springfield, Mo. (University Field)

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Valor Softball returned home on Monday (Apr. 14) afternoon, after a prolonged road stand when both their home series two weeks ago were rescheduled due to inclement weather.

Evangel rallied in game one after trailing 5-0 early, taking a 12-5 win over Sterling. In game two, the Valor led until the seventh inning when Sterling tied the game. Ultimately the Valor could not capitalize in extra innings, falling 7-4 in nine innings of play, breaking their 11 game winning streak.

NOTABLE

• Maddy Meierer earned the win in game one, but took the loss in game two, sitting at 17-3 so far this season.

• Camryn Casey went 5-8 from the plate to lead Evangel.

• Karlie Romines led the Valor with five RBIs, all of which came in game one.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Neither team scored in the first two innings of play in game one, but Sterling took advantage of their speed, using several bunts to advance runners, followed by base hits to take a 5-0 lead over EU.

• The Valor offense quickly responded in the bottom of the third. Lauren Dill, Autumn Nold, Kenna Mayfield, and Naomi Perkins all singled, with Dill scoring to make it a 5-1 game. After Nold was thrown out on the bases, Ellie Facklam was hit by a pitch to reload the bases. Karlie Romines sent a ball out to deep center field and over the fence, using a grand slam to tie the game up at 5-5. Riley Johannes continued their Valor run, hitting a solo home run the following at-bat, followed by a Karli Facklam double and Camryn Casey single to score Facklam, giving EU a 7-5 lead.

• In the bottom of the fourth, Evangel added an additional run after a Naomi Perkins bunt scored Autumn Nold, who had singled in the inning to get on base.

• Evangel added a run in the bottom of the fifth after Casey singled to get on, scoring on a passed ball to put EU ahead 9-5.

• The Valor tacked on three runs in the bottom of the sixth to solidify their win as Mayfield walked and scored on a Perkins single, followed by Perkins scoring on a Romines double. K. Facklam doubled to score Romines, giving EU a 12-5 lead they held to the finish in game one.

• In game two, the Valor again scored in the third inning, grabbing the lead. After Dill singled, Mayfield reached on an error. Both runners scored on a E. Facklam single to right field, giving EU a 2-0 lead.

• Johannes opened the bottom of the fourth inning with a double and a Casey single scored Kristyn Ramos, who had come in to run for Johannes, giving EU a 3-0 lead.

• Sterling scored a pair of runs in the top of the fifth to draw within a run of the EU lead, 3-2.

• In the top of the seventh, Sterling was able to score and tie the game up at 3-3.

• Maddy Meierer and the Valor defense were able to get out of trouble in the eighth inning, giving EU a prime opportunity to take the walk off win in the bottom of the inning. Casey opened the inning with a bunt single, moving runners to the corners for EU and no outs. A line out, followed by a runner being ruled out for making contact with the ball and a pop up got Sterling out of trouble in the inning as EU could not capitalize.

• Sterling scored four runs in the top of the ninth and Evangel responded with just one, falling 7-4 in game two and splitting the series with Sterling.

UP NEXT

Evangel Softball remains at home on Wednesday (Apr. 16) afternoon, hosting the Bethel College Threshers at 1:00 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.