(Peru, Neb.) – The Crusaders of Evangel University swept a Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) double header from the visiting Peru State Bobcats on Wednesday.
Evangel won the first game 8-4 and took the second game 3-2. Both teams are now 2-2 in the HAAC. The Crusaders improved to 15-10 overall while the 'Cats fell below .500 at 8-9.
Game One Action
After going down one-two-three in the top the first, the Bobcats gave up three to Evangel in the bottom of the inning to trail 3-0.
In the top of the second, after one out, Phil Lial
(Las Vegas, Nev.) to deep right-center and came home on
Derrick Davis's
(Orange Park, Fla.) single to left. Davis was then forced out when
Jake Wright (Freeport, Fla.) reached first on a fielder's choice.
Tyler Cherin (Seattle, Wash.) reached on a walk with Wright moving to second.
Ronald Tanner (Havertown, Pa.) singled to shallow left-center, bringing home Wright for the second run of the inning. Another single to shallow left by
Tyler Croushorn (Omaha) knotted the score at 3-3, scoring Cherin. A fielder's choice ended the inning as the Bobcats left two on base, but had tied up the score.
In the bottom of the second, Evangel responded with five runs to break the tie and lead 8-3. Neither team scored in the third or fourth inning. In the top of the fifth, Croushorn reached on a Crusader error and went to second on a wild pitch.
Aubrey Dezarn (Las Vegas, Nev.) singled to shallow left-center and Croushorn advanced to third. After consecutive outs, Croushorn scored on another error by Evangel, making it 8-4 at that point.
Neither team scored during the rest of the game, although the Bobcats had two on with two outs in the top of the seventh, but could not capitalize.
Peru State scored its four runs on seven hits and committed two errors. The Bobcats left eight on base.
Lial and Davis each had two hits with Davis having one RBI. One of Lial's hits was a triple while Davis had a double.
Ryan Grabowski (Omaha) started the game for Peru State and struggled with control. While Grabowski did not give up any hits, he was tagged for three runs – two earned, as he had walked three. Tim Patterson
(Valdosta, Ga.) threw six innings and took the loss. Patterson gave up five hits, five runs – four earned, and struck out three.
EVANGEL GAME ONE BOX SCORE
Game Two Action
It was more a pitcher's duel in the second game before Evangel eventually won 3-2.
After the first out in the top of the first, Cherin doubled to deep center and went to second when
Derek Voigt (Auburn, Wash.) was issued a walk. Voigt was forced out as
Randy Santiesteban (Hialeah, Fla.) went to first on a fielder's choice. On the same play, Cherin scored on a wild throw to give Peru State the initial lead at 1-0.
The lead held until the bottom of the second when Evangel knotted the score at 1-1.
Neither team would score in the third, fourth, or fifth innings. Then, in the bottom of the sixth, the Crusaders plated one to go up 2-1.
In the top of the seventh, Grabowski reached base on an Evangel error to start the inning. After an out, Croushorn reached first on a fielder's choice as Grabowski was out for interfering with a fielder. Cherin singled thru the hole at second to move Croushorn to second. Croushorn would advance to third on the throw. Eventually, Croushorn would score as Voigt reached base on another Evangel error. After another out, the game was tied 2-2.
Evangel would score what would be the winning run in the bottom of the seventh to lead 3-2, which held up over the next two innings.
Cherin and Davis each had two hits in the second game while Voigt was credited for one RBI.
Dezarn threw the first five and one-third innings before turning it over to
Brandon Mears (Orange Park, Fla.) to finish the game. Dezarn gave up four hits, two runs – one earned, and struck out five. In his two and two-thirds innings, Mears gave up three hits, one run and struck out two. Mears took the loss.
EVANGEL GAME TWO BOX SCORE
Upcoming Games
Weather permitting; the Bobcats will be on the road again Saturday, March 23, as they head to Canton, Mo., to face the Culver-Stockton College Wildcats. The HAAC double header is scheduled to start at 1 p.m.
Again, weather permitting; Peru State will start a string of four home double header contests on Tuesday, March 26. On Tuesday, the Central Methodist University Eagles will be the HAAC opponent. Then, on Friday and Saturday, the 'Cats will host the MidAmerica Nazarene University Pioneers, a HAAC division opponent. All games are to start at 1 p.m.
On April Fool's Day, the Doane College Tigers will be the opponents for non-conference double header starting at 1 p.m.
