ST. LOUIS – [BOX SCORE GAME 1] [BOX SCORE GAME 2] The Missouri Baptist softball team dropped both games Saturday afternoon to Evangel University in Springfield, Mo. MBU managed just one run over the two games, falling 8-0 in game one and 3-1 in game two.

The Crusaders used a six-run first inning to take control of game one. Evangel brought 10 batters to the plate in the inning and managed seven hits. Kasie Zukow highlighted the inning with a 3-RBI inside the park home run.

They then took advantage of two MBU errors to score twice in the second inning. The Spartans managed six hits in the five-inning contest, but were unable to plate a run against Crusader pitcher Michaela Tolliver. Tolliver picked up the win with the shutout, while striking out four. Six different Spartans recorded hits in the game. Jolyn Lake also pitched a scoreless inning of relief in the fourth.

MBU outhit Evangel 5-4 in game two, but fell 3-1. The Crusaders jumped out to a 3-0 lead after four innings and didn't look back. Cierra Liddick pitched well in the loss, allowing three runs on four hits in six innings.

Jillian Belieu doubled home a run in the third and Evangel added two more runs in the fourth, both with two outs. The Spartans plated a run in the sixth when Payton Anderson singled home a run. However, they couldn't manage any more offense in the loss. Chloe Jennings led the way offensively with a 2-3 performance at the plate.

The Spartans return to the field on Tuesday against Crowley's Ridge College. First pitch in the doubleheader is set for 2:00 pm.