OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Mid-America Christian University Evangels jumped all over the Oklahoma Wesleyan University Eagles early and often and then hung on for a 9-5 victory in non-conference action Tuesday afternoon (Apr. 10) at James Curtis Field.

The Evangels built a 9-0 lead after seven innings, but the Eagles wouldn't go quietly as an RBI single by Cory Ford capped a four-run eighth inning that trimmed the deficit to five runs. 

OWU kept things interesting in the ninth when Josh Davis singled home a run to make it 9-5.  The Eagles then brought the tying run to the plate with two outs, but Ryan Rathbun induced a game-ending groundout to Luis Martinez at shortstop.

The Evangels (6-29, 2-19 SAC) got off to a good start with three runs in the first inning on a sacrifice fly by Jon Jon Lemos and a two-run double from Kevin Parsons. 

MACU added to its lead with a run in the second and two more in the third as Taylor Daniels singled home Joe Moore and a groundout by Trent Daniels plated Parsons.

A three-run seventh inning then broke the game open for the Evangels and gave them the nine-run cushion.  The inning featured an RBI double by Martinez that scored Austin Hilterbran and a two-run single by Moore.

MACU starter Colby Crawford blanked the Eagles over five innings on four hits and struck out three to get the win.  Blaine Garriott and Mat Owen also each pitched a scoreless inning of relief.

Moore was a perfect 3-of-3 at the plate for the Evangels with two RBI, while Parsons also drove in a pair of runs. 

Nick Palese went 3-of-5 at the dish for the Eagles (25-16, 4-4 MCAC). 

The Evangels will next begin a three-game conference series with a single game at home against Northwestern Oklahoma State University on Thursday afternoon (Apr. 12) at 2 p.m.  MACU and NWOSU will then conclude the series with a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon (Apr. 14) at 1 p.m. in Alva, Okla.