WICHITA, Kan. – The Evangel University Valor pounded out 21 hits in a 17-8 win over the (RV) Friends University Falcons in the series finale today (Mar. 19) at West Side Athletic Field. The Falcons captured both games over the Valor in Springfield last Tuesday (Mar. 12) to win the conference series overall.
Friends head coach Adam Neisius remains at 599 career victories as the Falcons fall for just the second time in the last 13 games.
The Falcons found themselves trailing from the outset, with four singles and then a two-run double by Carson Sturdefant contributing to a five-run first inning for the Valor.
An RBI double by Tyler Godfrey was followed by a two-run single from Spencer Davidson that trimmed the deficit to two runs, but a two-run single by Brooks Espy started a three-run second inning for Evangel to push the lead back to five runs.
After DJ Killion doubled home Niquan Benjamin in the fourth, the Valor put the Falcons in a seven-run hole with an RBI double from Matthew Olson in the fifth and then a two-run homer by Levi Loughridge in the sixth.
The Falcons again fought back when Buster Hardman singled in Killion to finish a two-run sixth, but it was again Loughridge coming through for Evangel with a two-run single in the seventh.
Spencer Davidson then launched his fourth home run of the season and Killion followed with another RBI double, but Sturdefant continued his big day with a three-run homer in the ninth to put it away.
Benjamin and Killion each had three hits for the Falcons (21-9, 12-6 KCAC), with Hardman, Davidson and Tyler Godfrey contributing two hits apiece.
Loughridge contributed at the plate and mound for Evangel, driving in five runs and going 4-of-6 while pitching five innings and striking out three with five runs allowed to earn the win.
Sturdefant also had five RBIs in the win for the Valor (12-14, 5-10 KCAC).
The Falcons will next start a three-game weekend series at Avila University beginning with a single-game Friday afternoon (Mar. 22) at 2 pm in Kansas City, Mo.
