The Basics

Score: #2 Evangel 6, #1 Friends 0 | Box Score

Record: Evangel (40-10), Friends (35-13)

Location: Branson, Mo. (Branson RecPlex)

BRANSON, Mo. – Valor Softball concluded the KCAC Conference Tournament on Friday (May 2nd) taking on the #1 seeded Friends Falcons in the conference tournament championship. 

Evangel's Maddy Meierer again earned the start, after shutting out the Falcons in the semifinals the previous day. Meierer continued her dominant season and got help from the Valor bats on Friday, as EU took a 6-0 victory, claiming their second consecutive KCAC conference tournament title.

NOTABLE

• Evangel's leaders in RBIs, Karlie Romines and Ellie Facklam, both drove in runs on Friday.

• The Valor win on Friday was an all around team effort, as nine different Valor athletes earned base hits in the win.

• Maddy Meierer earned her 23rd win in the circle on Friday, tying Evangel Hall of Famer Wendy Niebuhr Buttacy for the most in a single season in EU history.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Evangel scored early on Friday, as Kenna Mayfield reached base on a bunt single and scored on a Ellie Facklam ground out.

• The Valor added to their lead in the bottom of the third inning, scoring four runs to take a 5-0 lead over the Falcons. Reagan Jenkins, Danielle Cutbirth, and Naomi Perkins all singled to load the bases, with a E. Facklam single scoring both Jenkins and Cutbirth. Karlie Romines singled to score Perkins and a Riley Johannes single scored Facklam in the inning.

• In the top of the fourth, Maddy Meierer had a liner go right at her, but the sophomore pitcher made a strong play, catching the ball and doubling off the runner at first to get out of early trouble in the inning.

• In the top of the sixth, Camryn Casey laid out in left field to make a diving play, taking away a sure base hit from the Falcons.

• Evangel tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning, as Casey singled and scored on a Hayleigh Shubert sacrifice fly, giving EU a 6-0 lead.

• Meierer closed out the game in the seventh, en route to Evangel's second consecutive conference tournament title and her 23rd win of the season.

QUOTABLE

"I'm thankful that a team full of great teammates remembers their Larger Purpose. 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," stated head coach Jay Halbrook. "What a week! It was a challenge to deal with so much weather and changes, but I am thankful that we handled it well. Just the story of the year, our pitching and defense were incredible and our offense was big in key moments. I'm so proud of our resilience and tenacity. To go through this tournament undefeated says so much about our focus and determination."

UP NEXT

Evangel Softball will await to see where they will travel for the NAIA Softball National Tournament Opening Rounds, which take place from May 12th to May 15th. The selection show is set for 5:00 p.m. on May 7th with a watch party occurring on campus. More details will follow with information on said watch party.

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.