Location: Mission University (Ozark Mountain Sports Complex) Ozark, Missouri
Results: Evangel University 9, Mission University 4
Ozark, Missouri: The Evangel University Valor had their bats going in a nine inning, 9-4, victory over the Mission University Patriots. The Valor opened the game with a run in the top of the first inning. It took the third inning before the Patriots were able to answer with a run to tie the game at 1-1. In the third inning, with two outs already recorded by the Valor,
Dylan Blehm stepped to the plate and hit a towering home run drive over the right field fence. The Patriots then took their only lead in the contest in the bottom of the fourth inning with a pair of runs.
Grant Merryman doubled down the left field line to start things off.
Ryan Free then singled to first base, moving Merryman to third. Both runners moved up a base, Merryman scoring, when the Evangel pitcher was called for a balk.
Tate Wheeler then flied out to right field which allowed Free to go on to third base.
Landon Richards grounded out to second base, which was good enough for an RBI single as Free scored, 3-1 MU. The fifth inning proved to be disastrous for MU. A lead off home run brought the Valor within one run, 3-2. Four hits, a balk, and a pitching change later, found the Patriots now trailing 6-3 after four and a half innings. Evangel added two more runs in the top of the seventh inning to lead 8-3. Mission was able to counter a bit in the bottom of the seventh when they scored a single tally to make it 8-4, EU. Richards singled to right field to begin the inning. Kaeden Thompson came in to pinch run for Richards.
Trey Mulholland singled to right field, pushing Thompson to second base. After a Patriot made the first out in the inning,
Sam Golden singled to left field to score Thompson. The rally, however, ended there. The Valor added a ninth run in the eighth inning to finish the scoring.
- Sam Golden, 2 for 4, 1 walk, and 1 RBI.
- Grant Merryman, 1 for 3, 1 Double, and 1 Run scored.
- Dylan Blehm, 1 for 4, 1 Run scored, 1 base on balls, 1 Home Run, and 1 RBI.
- Landon Richards, 1 for 4, and 1 RBI.
Next Up:
The Patriots will travel to Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, to play Williams Baptist University in their final four-game series of AMC regular season competition. The games are schedule for Wednesday and Thursday, April 23 and 24, in hopes of beating the possible inclement weather that has been forecast. Game times for both days are 1:30 and 4:00 pm.
