SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Southwestern salvaged the final game of its KCAC series against Evangel on Sunday, using a dominant outing from right-hander Jaden Hensley and a decisive third inning to earn an 8–2 victory at University Field.
The win came after Evangel claimed the first two games of the series, including a 15–5 decision Saturday and a 20–7 win earlier Sunday.
Southwestern's finale victory was anchored by Hensley, who pitched a complete game, allowing two runs on nine hits while striking out nine and walking none over seven innings. The sophomore right-hander threw 108 pitches and helped the Moundbuilders secure their sixth win of the season.
The Valor struck first in the opening inning when Nate Nunes tripled and later scored on Cade Beshore's RBI groundout. Southwestern answered immediately in the bottom half as Brice Nittler delivered an RBI single that scored Sam Benz and tied the game at 1–1.
The Builders broke the game open in the third. Braden Roberts reached on an error, and Koda Larsen followed with a bunt single before Benz doubled to score the tying run. Raisean Dorsey then lined a two-run single, and Mitch Meinen added a two-run single later in the inning as Southwestern plated six runs to take a 7–2 lead.
Southwestern added an insurance run in the fifth when Roberts reached on a throwing error that allowed Gabe Rodriguez to score, extending the lead to 8–2.
From there, Hensley controlled the game. The Valor lineup managed baserunners but could not break through against the right-hander, who induced nine groundouts and recorded strikeouts in six of the seven innings he worked.
Benz finished with two hits and two runs scored, while Dorsey drove in two runs and Nittler added two hits and an RBI to lead Southwestern's offense in the finale.
Evangel took the opening game of the series Saturday, scoring in eight of nine innings during a 15–5 victory. Southwestern briefly rallied with five runs in the third inning, highlighted by RBIs from Brice Nittler, Gabe Rodriguez, and Cole Van Stone, but the Valor pulled away late.
The Valor then won the first game of Sunday's doubleheader 20–7 behind a 21-hit performance. Southwestern collected 14 hits in the game, including a three-run home run from Layton Simon in the third inning, but Evangel responded with multiple big innings to secure the win.
Southwestern closed the weekend on a positive note behind Hensley's complete-game performance and a six-run third inning that secured the series finale.
The Moundbuilders will be back in action on Tuesday afternoon as Southwestern travels to take on the Hesston College Larks. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Oswald Field.
