SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Evangel returned home to take on the Ravens of Benedictine on Saturday. In game one, EU used an impressive third inning of offense to grab a lead they never relinquished, 10-4. In the second game of the day, the Valor again used a big inning, this time in the fifth, to take home the day one sweep, 8-3.
HIGHLIGHTS
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The Valor were victorious in game one, 10-4, after a strong offensive showing.
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Levi Loughridge (4-3) used a complete game outing to shut down the Benedictine offense in the first game.
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Evangel used efficient pitching and another big inning to complete the two-game sweep of Benedictine, 8-3.
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Wyatt Keplar and Truett Gardner (1-0) combined to pitch in game two, only allowing three hits to the Ravens.
HOW IT HAPPENED
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Evangel found the scoreboard first in game one, after Mason Hansen and Athanie Leeviraphan were scored on a Dalton Cook single. Hansen kicked off the inning being hit by pitch and Leeviraphan doubled to get on.
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Benedictine matched the Valor in their top of the second, scoring two runs off a two-run home run.
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The third inning was dominated by Evangel's offense. Both Hansen and Leeviraphan walked to get on base. Cook singled to load the bases for EU and Noah Suiter singled, scoring both Hansen and Leeviraphan. Stephen Belcher used a sacrifice bunt to advance runners into scoring position.
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Parker Dinwiddie reached first on an error in the third, scoring Gage Harris who was courtesy running for Cook. Shortly after, Dinwiddie stole second which forced the catcher into a throw. Suiter stole home to score the fourth Valor run of the inning.
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Not finished with their strong third inning, Grant Kosanke singled to center field to score Dinwiddie. Nathan Lamb doubled to move Kosanke to third base and both Lamb and Kosanke were scored after Hansen singled, giving EU a 9-2 lead.
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Benedictine only scored two additional runs in the final four innings of the ballgame, as Evangel tacked on another run in the bottom of the fourth thanks to a Suiter bunt single that scored Leeviraphan for the third time in the game, giving Evangel their final run in the 10-4 victory.
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Evangel began game two similarly to game one, scoring two runs to kick off the ball game. Hansen singled and stole second base, then advanced to third when Leeviraphan singled. Athanie stole second and Cook walked to load the bases. Cue a Dinwiddie single and EU had a 2-0 lead.
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Benedictine used their top of the 2nd and 3rd innings to even the score at two apiece.
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Evangel added another run in the bottom of the third when Suiter singled to score Leeviraphan, giving the Valor a 3-2 lead.
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In the top of the fifth, Benedictine again tied the game up at 3-3 after the Ravens scored a sacrifice fly.
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The Valor again found a big inning on offense in the bottom of the fifth. Hansen doubled and advanced to third after Leeviraphan singled. Leeviraphan racked up another stolen base and Cook walked to load the bases. Suiter clutched up and hit a bases clearing triple to push EU out to a 6-3 lead.
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Dinwiddie proceeded to score Suiter and then Aidan Satterfield was scored after running for Dinwiddie when Brandon Ulm singled between third and short, giving Evangel an 8-3 lead they held for the remainder of the game.
NOTABLE
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Suiter played well throughout the day on Saturday, going 4-7 and leading the team with seven RBIs, accumulating his 17th of the season.
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Leeviraphan continued his trend of excellent play on Saturday, finishing his day with six runs scored, three stolen bases, and went 4-7 at the plate.
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Hansen drew four walks throughout the day, finishing the afternoon with a team leading 23 walks on the season.
UP NEXT
Evangel will continue their weekend doubleheader on Sunday (Mar. 27) with another two games against Benedictine. Games will begin at 1:00 p.m. tomorrow afternoon.
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.
