OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Mid-America Christian University Evangels committed six errors in the opening game and three more in the second as the Evangel University Crusaders swept a doubleheader by scores of 7-0 and 8-0 Friday afternoon (Feb. 15) at James Curtis Field.

Evangel starter Blake McKnight was nearly flawless, facing the minimum number of hitters and carrying a perfect game into the sixth until an error broke it up.  McKnight wasthen three outs from a no-hitter, but a lead-off single by Z Tipton in the seventh ended the no-no. 

McKnight struck out six in his seven innings of work with no walks.

Out of the seven runs scored by Crusaders in the first game, only one was earned against starter Dalton Majors and reliever Hunter Boelte. 

Majors lasted six innings and gave up his only charged run in the first inning on an RBI single by Darin Francis. 

The Crusaders capitalized on two more errors in the third to add two more runs on a two-run single by Francis.

Jacob Garrison then hit a grand slam in the seventh to put it away following another error that kept the inning alive.

The Evangels' offense was again stifled in the nightcap by starter Matt Myers, who allowed only four hits with 10 strikeouts and only one walk in seven innings.

MACU hurler Brett Lamb and Myers dueled through three scoreless frames before Lamb allowed a two out rally in the fourth.  A single and a walk led to a run-scoring single by Christian Maciel that made it 1-0.  The Evangels (0-7)then made a move to the bullpen for Blaine Garriott, who allowed a two-run double to Seth Bailey.

RBI doubles by Maciel and Jacob Childers keyed a three-run sixth and the Crusaders (6-1) tacked on two more in the seventh. 

The Evangels and Crusaders will wrap up the four-game series with another twinbill tomorrow afternoon (Feb. 16) at noon.