OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Mid-America Christian University Evangels once again got a solid start from Christian Hill, but the No. 1-ranked and top-seeded Oklahoma City University Stars found just enough offense to slip by the Evangels 4-2 in the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament Wednesday afternoon (May 1) at Jim Wade Stadium on the OCU campus.

After blanking the Stars in a complete game victory the last time he faced them, Hill again went the distance today, pitching eight innings with four runs allowed and four strikeouts.  OCU starter Cody Crabaugh was also effective in his eight innings of work, allowing two runs and striking out seven.

OCU done the bulk of their damage in the second inning, scoring three times to grab a 3-0 lead.  Cody Ferrell got it started with a lead-off triple and scored the game's first run on a single by Forrest Smith.  Chris Munoz also had an RBI triple in the inning.

After the Stars added a run in the fourth when Chase Jenson scored on a wild pitch, Hill settled down and retired 13 of the next 15 batters he faced over the next four innings.

The Evangels finally got to Crabaugh in the eighth when Hill hit a one-out single and pinch runner Jerry McNew scored on an RBI single by Taylor Daniels.  Dustin Carlsward then doubled home Daniels to make it a two-run game.  With the tying run at the plate, Crabaugh escaped further trouble by getting a groundout to end the inning.

Davis Henderson then came on in the ninth and retired the Evangels in order with two strikeouts to pick up the save.

Hill also helped himself at the plate, going 2-of-3 with a walk, while Kory Palmer was 3-of-4 at the dish for the Evangels.

Munoz and Jensen each led the Stars with two hits apiece.

The Evangels will continue action in the SAC Tournament against fourth-seeded USAO tomorrow afternoon (May 2) at 2 p.m., weather permitting.