Edmond, Okla. -- The Mid-America Christian University Lady Evangels threatened to knock of the NCAA D-II No. 3-ranked University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos, but eventually fell 3-1 in non-conference action Thursday afternoon (Apr. 26) at Edmond North HS in Edmond, Okla.
The Lady Evangels had a chance to tie the score in the seventh with runners on second and third with only one out, but a groundout and strikeout ended the threat as the Bronchos (39-5) escaped with the win.
MACU starter
Amber Tinney kept the Lady Evangels close throughout by limiting the Bronchos to three runs, two earned through six innings.
The Bronchos got to Tinney in the third inning with an RBI single by Kayce Raines and then went up 2-0 on a lead-off homer by Nathalie Timmermans in the bottom of the fourth.
Erica Love continued her solid hitting and brought the Lady Evangels to within a run with a solo homer in the top of the sixth, but the Bronchos regained their two-run lead on an RBI single by Megan Whitmire.
Love collected two of the three hits on the day for the Lady Evangels with a 2-of-3 effort at the plate.
Timmermans' homer was her 21st of the season for UCO.
The Lady Evangels will now gear up to co-host the upcoming National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Central Regional Tournament with Southwestern Christian University next Monday (Apr. 30) and Tuesday (May 1). The Lady Evangels will be the No. 3 seed and play No. 2 seed SCU Monday at 10 a.m. at Jack Allen Field on the MACU campus.
