OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Mid-America Christian University Lady Evangels exploded for 14 runs in the first inning and cruised to a 17-3 victory over the Ecclesia College Lady Royals today (May 9) in the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Central Regional Tournament at the Lawson Field Complex on the campus of Oklahoma Christian University in OKC. 

The win moves the Lady Evangels into a date with top-seeded Central Baptist College later this evening at 6 p.m. in another elimination game. CBC was upset 8-3 by fourth-seeded Colorado Christian University yesterday.  

The big first inning featured a little bit of everything, as the Lady Evangels batted around twice and sent 18 batters to the plate. 

Natalie Bissell drove in four runs in the inning with a two-run double and then a two-run homer. 

Tiffany Holt added three RBI in her two at-bats with a two-run double and a run-scoring single. 

The Lady Evangels (34-29) then added on with an RBI single from Taylor Green in the third and Green singled home another run in a two-run fourth inning. 

Green and Bissell each drove in four runs on the day, with Green going 4-of-4 and Bissell 3-of-3. 

MACU also got three RBI from Holt and two runs driven in from Hannah Lynch. 

Also, Taryn Callender, Kenna McCoy and Ashley Sanford all had two hits.  

Amber Tinney started in the circle for the Lady Evangels and pitched two shutout innings and was followed by Sanford, who allowed two earned runs over the next three frames to get the win. 

Jamie Marshall went 3-of-3 with two RBI for the Lady Royals (14-25).