EARLY DEFICIT COSTS BASEBALL IN HIGH-SCORING LOSS TO EVANGEL

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Avila baseball put up nine runs on Tuesday at Evangel, but an early deficit cost the Eagles in a 16-9 loss on Tuesday.

The Valor scored eight times in the first two innings and added another run in the fourth to go up 9-0.

Looking like they were headed for a run-rule loss, Avila's bats came alive in the fifth inning.

The first three batters of the inning reached to load the bases.

An RBI single from Joey Reichmuth, a bases-loaded hit batter, fielder's choice RBI from Aidan Johnson and JJ Stubblefield and RBI hits from Isaiah Ramos and Vinny Neilson brought Avila right back into the game, trailing 9-6 after five. 

The Valor would re-stretch their lead in the sixth, putting up four more to go up 13-6 until three more in the top of the seventh from Avila.

Tommy English brought in Johnson on a run-scoring error and Caden Stillwell scored two on an RBI double to bring the score to 13-9.

Evangel put the game away with three more runs in the bottom of the eighth and Avila would not score in the ninth inning, finalizing the 16-9 loss.

Seven different Avila batters drove in a run and eight different Eagles scored a run, led by two from leadoff hitter Tommy English.

Avila has now scored eight or more runs in four-straight games and are averaging 7.9 runs per game in the month of March. 

The Eagles are back at The Z for a three-game series with York this weekend, beginning with a 12 PM doubleheader on Saturday.

 (photo credit: Ali Nassir)