The Basics

Game 1: #3 Evangel 4, #5 Johnson 2 | Box Score

Game 2: #3 Evangel 7, #4 Thomas 0 | Box Score

Record: Evangel (42-11), Johnson (29-15), Thomas (30-22)

Location: Lawrenceville, Ga. (Grizzly Athletic Complex)

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – Valor Softball resumed play on Tuesday (May 13) afternoon in the NAIA National Tournament Opening Rounds, looking to remain alive in postseason play.

Evangel scored early in game one and used a strong performance from Maddy Meierer in the circle to eliminate Johnson from the tournament, 4-2. In the second matchup of the afternoon, the Valor took on the four seeded Thomas Nighthawks. Madi Bentley earned the start for Evangel and was bent on earning a win, throwing a complete game shutout en route to a 7-0 victory.

NOTABLE

• Maddy Meierer made history on Tuesday, breaking the single season school record for pitching wins, earning number 24 in the win over Johnson. Meierer also already holds the record for most shutouts in a season, currently with 13 this year, and has tied the record for complete games (25).

• Madi Bentley earned her 14th win of the season against Thomas, allowing just five hits in the win.

• Kenna Mayfield's first run against Thomas broke the single season school record for runs scored, scoring her 65th run of the year.

• Ellie Facklam and Karlie Romines led the Valor at the plate, both going 4-6 on the day. Romines recorded five RBIs in the pair of wins to lead EU. Romines also broke the single season extra base hit record on Tuesday with her home run in game one.

• Evangel earned their first ever wins in NAIA Opening Round play on Tuesday.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Valor offense struck first against Johnson, using two out hitting to put a pair of runs on the scoreboard, as Ellie Facklam singled and scored on a Karlie Romines home run to left field.

• In the top of the second, the Royals scored their first run of the game to draw within a run of the EU lead, 2-1.

• Evangel scored a run in the bottom of the third inning when against, E. Facklam singled and scored on a Romines double.

• An EU insurance run in the bottom of the fifth inning gave the Valor a three run lead. Three walks loaded the bases for Evangel with just one out, as Riley Johannes hit a sacrifice fly to score Kenna Mayfield, making it a 4-1 ballgame.

• Johnson was able to load the bases and score a run with just one out in the sixth inning, drawing within two runs of the Evangel lead. Maddy Meierer was able to work out of trouble, working a foul ball fly out and a strikeout looking to escape the inning.

• The Valor took care of business in the seventh inning, taking a 4-2 win over Johnson to advance to their second elimination game of the day.

• In game two, Evangel again got the scoring started early, putting four runs on the scoreboard in the first inning. Mayfield and Naomi Perkins both singled and a E. Facklam walk loaded the bases. Romines doubled to the gap in left center field, scoring both Mayfield and Perkins, while a Karli Facklam singled scored both her sister and Romines, putting EU ahead 4-0.

• After strong pitching from Madi Bentley kept Thomas off the scoreboard, EU added a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. E. Facklam singled and scored on a Riley Johannes double, while Autumn Nold entered to run for Johannes, scoring on a K. Facklam double to extend the Valor lead to 6-0.

• Danielle Cutbirth scored the final run of the afternoon for Evangel, hitting a single and scoring on a Perkins base hit to push EU ahead 7-0.

• Bentley closed out the game with a three up, three down seventh inning, as EU took a 7-0 win, keeping their season alive in Lawrenceville.

QUOTABLE

"I'm thankful for this team full of great teammates. They are playing to be champions for Christ. That focus has resulted in winning some ball games. I'm thankful that our platform is being built by the Lord. I pray God continues to use us as we continue to give honor and glory to Jesus and meet the needs of those we connect with. What a day! Just the story of the year, our pitching and defense were incredible. I'm so proud of Maddy and Madi. Our offense was big in key moments," stated head coach Jay Halbrook. "I'm so proud of our resilience and tenacity. Recovering from yesterday's tough loss says so much about our focus and determination. This season with all of the success has begun to stack up in individual single season records! What a blessed time to be Evangel Softball."

UP NEXT

Evangel Softball will take on #2 St. Thomas, looking to avenge their Monday loss to the Bobcats at 11:00 a.m. CT, needing a win to advance to the Lawrenceville Opening Round Championship against host and #1 seed Georgia Gwinnett immediately after. With a loss, the 2025 Evangel campaign will come to a close.

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.