OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Mid-America Christian University Evangels lost twice in non-conference outings to conference rival Southern Nazarene and then to the St. Mary's (Kan.) Spires Friday afternoon (Feb. 17) at James Curtis Field. The Evangels fell 11-3 to the Southern Nazarene University Crimson Storm and were then nipped 6-5 by the University of St. Mary's.

The opener against SNU got away when the Crimson Storm took advantage of two errors and several more defensive mishaps in the fifth inning to score eight runs on six hits that broke the game wide open at 11-1.

Nick Whetzell had two hits and drove in a run for the Evangels.

John Basnight hit a two-run homer in the second to put SNU on the board and James Tunnell and Nate Saquilon each had three hits and two RBI.

Chris Eastman went five innings, with one run allowed and five strikeouts to get the win for the Crimson Storm.

In the nightcap, the Evangels (2-3) seventh-inning rally fell just short.

The Spires held a 6-3 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh when the Evangels plated two runs that featured an RBI single by Kevin Parson that plated Kory Palmer to make it a one-run game.

But with the tying run in scoring position, John Christopher came out of the bullpen to induce a fly out from Joe Moore to close out the win for the Spires and pick up the save.

The Evangels trailed 2-0 but tied the score in the bottom of the third when Taylor Daniels reached on an error that scored Jon Jon Lemos and Whetzell.

Parsons went 2-of-4 with and RBI, while Whetzell had a hit and scored twice. Whetzell was also solid behind the plate, throwing out six of a potential 10 base stealers.

Travis Quick was 2-of-3 with three RBI and Michael Ferracuti was 2-of-2 with a pair of runs driven in.

The Evangels will remain at home and host Kansas Wesleyan Tuesday afternoon (Feb. 21) for a doubleheader beginning at 1:30 p.m.