The Basics

Game 1: #2 Evangel 3, #7 Tabor 1 | Box Score

Game 2: #2 Evangel 5, #3 Avila 3 | Box Score

Record: Evangel (38-10), Tabor (23-19), Avila (30-20)

Location: Branson, Mo. (Branson RecPlex)

BRANSON, Mo. – Valor Softball opened KCAC Conference Tournament play on Wednesday (Apr. 30) morning, looking to take a few wins and stay in contention for a conference tournament title.

The Valor scored three runs in the second inning of game one, proving to be enough as Madi Bentley and Maddy Meierer combined for a 3-1 victory over seventh seeded Tabor. In Evangel's final game of the afternoon, the Valor took on the third seeded Avila Eagles, with the winner advancing to tomorrow's semifinal game. Consistent scoring and another strong game in the circle from Meierer pushed EU to a 5-3 win, earning a bid to the conference semis.

NOTABLE

• Danielle Cutbirth led Evangel with a pair of RBIs on Wednesday, going 4-6 from the plate.

• Karlie Romines and Karli Facklam both went 3-5 from the plate on Wednesday.

• Maddy Meierer earned her 21st win of the season while Madi Bentley recorded her 13th win. Meierer also recorded her second save of the season in game one.

• Evangel tied the second most wins in a single season in school history, earning 38 in 2004. 44 wins is the most in a year, set back in 2005.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• After a scoreless first inning, Evangel scored a trio of runs in the bottom of the second. Karlie Romines singled, recorded a delay steal of second base, and advanced to third on a Riley Johannes single. A Karli Facklam fielders choice bunt scored Romines, giving EU a 1-0 lead.

• After Camryn Casey worked a walk, Danielle Cutbirth singled, scoring Johannes and extending Evangel's lead to 2-0. Kenna Mayfield wrapped scoring for EU with a single, scoring Facklam and putting EU ahead, 3-0.

• Tabor added a run in the top of the third inning to draw within a pair of runs of the Evangel lead, 3-1.

• After Madi Bentley pitched a strong first four innings, allowing just one run, Maddy Meierer entered in relief, allowing just one hit en route to Evangel's 3-1 win.

• Similar to game one, Evangel's matchup with Avila opened with a scoreless first inning.

• Romines doubled to open the second inning, coming around to score on an error and a Camryn Casey bunt, giving EU a 1-0 lead.

• Avila tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the fourth, but Evangel again responded, retaking the lead in the bottom of the fourth when Johannes doubled to score Romines, who had singled to get on base.

• The Eagles added an additional run in the top of the fifth, but the Valor scored a pair in the bottom of the inning as Cutbirth and Mayfield both singled, scoring on a wild pitch and Romines sacrifice fly to make the Valor lead 4-2.

• In the bottom of the sixth, Casey singled and scored on a Cutbirth double, extending EU's lead, 5-2.

• Avila would add a run in the top of the seventh, but the Valor defense shut down the Eagles, taking a 5-3 win.

UP NEXT

Evangel Softball takes on #1 Friends on Thursday (May 1) morning at approximately 11:30 AM. The winner of Thursday's game advances to the conference championship, while the loser competes in a win or go home semifinal later that evening.

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.