The Basics

Game 1: #1 Evangel 6, #8 Bethany 0 | Box Score

Game 2: #1 Evangel 1, #5 Friends 0 | Box Score

Record: Evangel (41-9), Bethany (17-27), Friends (28-19)

Location: Salina, Kan. (Salina South HS)

SALINA, Kan. – Valor Softball opened the KCAC Conference Tournament on Wednesday (Apr. 29) afternoon, aiming to earn a pair of wins to advance to the tournament semifinals on Thursday.

Evangel took care of business in the first round, as Maddy Meierer shut out the Swedes in a 6-0 win for EU. The Valor took on the Friends Falcons in the second round of play and although the game would be scoreless for the majority of the contest, a Lauren Dill home run in the bottom of the sixth would be all the offense needed as Madi Bentley allowed just one hit and Meierer shut the door, leading to a 1-0 shutout win for EU.

NOTABLE

• Maddy Meierer earned the win against Bethany, striking out six batters in her 22nd win of the season, and earned a save against Friends, the first of the year for the junior.

• Madi Bentley recorded her 16th win of the season against Friends.

• Kenna Mayfield went 4-4 against the Swedes, while Lauren Dill's home run against the Falcons was the only run scoring offense.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Kenna Mayfield singled and scored on an Audrey Carlton home run to left field to give EU an early 2-0 lead.

• After going scoreless in the second, the Valor added another pair in the third, as Kaylee Dolores and Mayfield both singled, both scoring on a Naomi Perkins double to left center field, making it a 4-0 ballgame.

• After a scoreless fourth, Evangel again added a pair in the fifth, as Mayfield singled and scored on a Natalie Morgan single. Perkins, who had walked to get on base, scored in the inning on a Camryn Casey sacrifice fly, giving Evangel a 6-0 lead.

• Maddy Meierer and the Valor defense took care of business to close out the first round contest, as the Valor blanked the Swedes, 6-0.

• Madi Bentley had an exceptional outing against the Falcons, allowing just one hit in the top of the sixth inning that did not affect EU.

• Lauren Dill hit a home run down the right field line to give the Valor the 1-0 lead that Maddy Meierer held to the finish, earning the save in the 1-0 win over Friends.

UP NEXT

Evangel Softball will take on the #2-seeded Oklahoma Wesleyan Eagles on Thursday (Apr. 30) afternoon at approx. 1:30 p.m. in Salina, for the chance to advance to the KCAC Conference Championship game. With a loss, the Valor will play immediately after the game in the semifinals of the bottom bracket.

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.