The Basics
Game 1: #13 Evangel 4, Oklahoma Wesleyan 6 | Box Score
Game 2: #13 Evangel 6, Oklahoma Wesleyan 2 | Box Score
Record: Evangel (33-7, 15-3), OKWU (25-9, 10-4)
Location: Springfield, Mo. (University Field)
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Valor Softball hosted the Oklahoma Wesleyan Eagles on Tuesday (Apr. 7) afternoon, looking to earn a pair of wins against a tough conference opponent.
The Evangel offense was unable to keep pace with the top offense in the KCAC in game one, falling 6-4, before scoring six runs in game two, using a strong effort from Madi Bentley and the Valor defense to earn a 6-2 win and split of the series.
NOTABLE
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Madi Bentley earned the win in game two, her 13th of the season, striking out four batters.
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Kenna Mayfield led Evangel at the plate on Tuesday, going 6-7 with three runs scored. Mayfield's first run on Tuesday broke the career school record for runs scored, her 167th, breaking Kaylee Nelson's previous mark.
HOW IT HAPPENED
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Evangel and OKWU both were scoreless after the first two innings of play on Tuesday, but a pair of errors in the top of the third allowed the Eagles to take a 2-0 lead.
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In the bottom of the third, Evangel responded with a run of their own, after Kenna Mayfield doubled, scoring on a Natalie Morgan single to center field.
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OKWU added a trio of runs in the top of the fifth to lead 5-1.
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In the bottom of the sixth, Hayleigh Shubert singled, followed by a Alaura Padgett single, with Karla Ochoa entering to run for Shubert. Ochoa would steal home after Kristyn Ramos baited a throw to second, making the deficit 5-2.
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OKWU added a run in the top of the seventh, but Evangel's offense began to put pressure on the Eagles in the bottom of the inning. Mayfield walked, followed by a Naomi Perkins single and a Lauren Dill hit by pitch to load the bases with no outs. Sacrifice flies from Morgan and Audrey Carlton made it a 6-4 game with a pair of outs, but EU could not rally, falling 6-4 in game one.
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OKWU scored in the second inning of game two to take a 1-0 lead.
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Evangel responded in the bottom of the fourth, as Dill and Morgan both singled, while Carlton hit a sacrifice bunt to move both runners into scoring position. An error allowed both runners to score to make it a 2-1 ballgame.
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In the bottom of the fifth, Mayfield doubled, scoring on a Perkins single, while a Carlton single scored Perkins. A Kaylee Dolores single advanced Carlton to third, before Karli Facklam ripped a double to left center to give EU a 6-1 lead.
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OKWU scored a run in the top of the sixth, but the Valor defense and Madi Bentley shut the Eagles down the rest of the way, taking a 6-2 win in game two.
UP NEXT
Evangel Softball hits the road on Saturday (Apr. 11) afternoon to take on the Bethany Swedes at 1:00 p.m. in Lindsborg, Kansas.
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. Â