The Basics

Game 1: #25 Evangel 6, Olivet Nazarene 0 | Box Score

Game 2: #25 Evangel 9, UHSP 0 | Box Score

Record: Evangel (2-0), Olivet Nazarene (0-2), UHSP (0-2)

Location: Branson, Mo. (Branson RecPlex)

BRANSON, Mo. – Valor Softball opened their 2026 campaign on Friday (Feb. 6) afternoon at the Branson Bash, taking on Olivet Nazarene and UHSP.

The Valor defense didn't allow a single run on Friday, taking a 6-0 win over Olivet and a 9-0 win over UHSP, taking their first two wins of the year.

NOTABLE

• Maddy Meierer earned the win against Olivet, allowing just three hits and striking out eight batters.

• Madi Bentley allowed just one hit and struck out six batters in a run-rule win over UHSP on Friday.

• Evangel went 16-47 (.340) at the plate on Friday, with Natalie Morgan finishing with four RBIs to lead EU.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Evangel and Olivet did not score a run in the first two innings of play on Friday, but the Valor added three in the third inning, when Naomi Perkins doubled, followed by a Camryn Casey walk and three run blast from Natalie Morgan.

• In the bottom of the fifth, Morgan reached on an error and scored on a pair of walks and hit batter, to take a 4-0 lead.

• N. Perkins tripled to open the bottom of the sixth, followed by a Casey double to score Perkins, making it a 5-0 ballgame. Another pair of walks and a hit batter scored Casey to solidify Evangel's 6-0 win, behind an exceptional performance from junior Maddy Meierer and the EU defense.

• The Valor got right to work against UHSP, as Perkins singled, Casey walked, Morgan walked, and Danielle Cutbirth ripped a double to center field, scoring Casey and Perkins. Lauren Dill used a ground out to score Morgan, giving EU a 3-0 lead.

• Evangel dominated the second inning, which proved to be enough to force the run-rule in the fifth inning. Karli Facklam doubled, followed by a Chloe Krans single and Mayfield double, scoring both Facklam and Krans. Perkins singled and Casey walked to load the bases, with Morgan working another walk to score Mayfield. Dill singled to score Perkins and Casey, while Kaylee Dolores singled on a bunt to score Morgan, the sixth run scored of the inning, as EU led 9-0.

• Madi Bentley and the Valor defense kept UHSP shut down offensively, taking a 9-0 win in just five innings of play, their second win of the season.

UP NEXT

Evangel Softball takes on Crowley's Ridge and Stephens in Branson on Saturday (Feb. 7) afternoon at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., respectively.

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.