March 11, 2026
BRANSON, Mo. – NAIA's No. 17 ranked Evangel (Mo.) erupted for five runs in the third inning and hit four home runs to defeat Dakota State (S.D.) 10-0 in five innings Wednesday afternoon at Tanger Field in the Stars and Stripes Spring Break Classic. The Trojans are playing on their third straight day of the tournament.
DSU's four-game winning streak came to an end and fell to 6-9 overall record. The Valors, member of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference, lifted their overall record to 17-4.
How it happened
Evangel jumped out to an early lead in the first inning. Kenna Mayfield led off with a single and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Naomi Perkins to make it 1-0. Camryn Casey later scored on a Dakota State fielding error after a Natalie Morgan single to extend the lead to 2-0.
The Valors' offense added two more runs in the second inning on back-to-back solo home runs. Lauren Dill blasted a homer to right field before Danielle Cutbirth followed with a shot to center, giving Evangel a 4-0 advantage.
Evangel broke the game open in the third inning with a five-run frame. Audrey Carlton delivered the big blow with a three-run home run to center field. Later in the inning, Cutbirth drove in a run with a single before Mayfield doubled to left to score another run and extend the lead to 9-0.
Casey added Evangel's fourth home run of the game with a solo shot in the fourth inning to make it 10-0.
Dakota State managed just one hit, a bunt single by
Ally Morrissey in the third inning. The Trojans had a few scoring opportunities with five walks, but Evangel pitching limited the offense and induced key outs.
Maddy Meierer earned the win for Evangel after allowing one hit and striking out three over three innings. Sarah Wilkinson finished the final two innings to complete the shutout.
Maycee Bricker took the loss for Dakota State after allowing two runs in the first inning.
Makenna McGee worked 3 2/3 innings in relief, while
Grace Kitterman recorded the final out.
Cutbirth led Evangel offensively, going 3-for-3 with a home run, double and two RBIs, while Casey scored three runs and homered. Carlton also homered and drove in three runs.
Game Statistics
Dakota State Leaders
Batting
Pitching
- Maycee Bricker (L, 2-3): 1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
- Makenna McGee: 3.2 IP, 8 H, 8 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 2 K
- Grace Kitterman: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 K
Evangel Leaders
Batting
- Danielle Cutbirth: 3-for-3, HR, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R
- Camryn Casey: 2-for-3, HR, 3 R, RBI
- Audrey Carlton: HR, 3 RBI
- Lauren Dill: HR, RBI
- Kenna Mayfield: 2-for-4, 2B, RBI
Pitching
- Maddy Meierer (W, 10-1): 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 K
- Sarah Wilkinson: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB
Up next
Dakota State continues their action in the Stars and Stripes Classic as they face Doane (Neb.) of the Great Plains Athletic Conference. First pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
