The Basics

Game 1: #14 Evangel 7, Friends 3 | Box Score

Game 2: #14 Evangel 6, Friends 0 | Box Score

Record: Evangel (30-4, 12-0), Friends (15-16, 5-7)

Location: Springfield, Mo. (University Field)

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Valor Softball concluded their homestand on Monday (Mar. 30) afternoon, hosting the defending KCAC Regular Season champion Friends Falcons, looking to keep their winning streak rolling.

Madi Bentley started game one for Evangel, and despite giving up three runs early, settled in and pitched the final three scoreless, as the Valor took advantage of Friends miscues to take a 7-3 win. In game two, Maddy Meierer and the Valor defense held Friends scoreless, taking a 6-0 shutout win over the Falcons to earn the sweep.

NOTABLE

• Maddy Meierer earned the win against Friends, striking out nine batters and earning her 16th win of the season.
• Madi Bentley recorded her 11th win of the season against the Falcons, striking out eight batters in the outing.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Friends scored a run in the top of the third and a pair in the top of the fourth to take a 3-0 lead over the Valor.
• In the bottom of the fourth, Evangel's offense began to click. Lauren Dill singled down the right field line, before Audrey Carlton reached on an error. Karli Facklam walked to load the bases, while a Chloe Krans double down the left field line scored both Dill and Carlton. A wild pitch allowed Facklam to tie the game up before Naomi Perkins singled through the right side, scoring Krans, giving EU a 4-3 lead.
• The Valor added a trio of insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth to push the game out of reach. After Danielle Cutbirth reached on a dropped third strike wild pitch, Mayfield singled to center field. A Perkins single through the right side allowed Cutbirth and Mayfield to both score, after a pair of fielding errors from the Falcons. Camryn Casey closed out scoring with a double to left field, scoring Perkins and solidifying Evangel's 7-3 win in game one.
• Despite not recording a single hit in the first inning, Evangel plated a pair of runs to open game two. Perkins worked a walk, advancing to second on a dropped fly ball by the Friends left fielder. Natalie Morgan was hit by a pitch to load the bases, before a Dill fielder's choice scored Perkins from third. Dill stole second and the throw got away from the infielders, allowing Casey to score from third, giving EU a 2-0 lead.
• After a scoreless second and third innings from both teams, the Valor added three runs in the bottom of the fourth. Dill doubled to right center field, scoring on a Facklam ground out. After Carlton singled, the freshman scored on a sacrifice fly from Cutbirth. A Mayfield single scored Krans in the same inning after Chloe hit a single to get on base, giving EU a 5-0 lead.
• In the bottom of the fifth, the Valor added another run, as Natalie Morgan walked. Karla Ochoa entered to run for the catcher, scoring on a single from Dill that took a wicked hop on the first baseman.
• Maddy Meierer and the Evangel defense took care of business to close out Evangel's 6-0 win in game two. 

UP NEXT

Evangel Softball travels to Leavenworth, Kan., on Thursday (Apr. 2) afternoon to take on the Saint Mary Spires, with first pitch set for 2:00 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.  

—#OneValor—