The Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes have kickstarted their three-game series against KCAC rival Evangel with a 12-1 victory.
The Coyotes, who were coming off a victory against Hastings College after losing three-in-a-row, had been struggling offensively. In their previous series against Concordia University, the Coyotes were outscored 19-7.
"I think the win helped us get back to our normal approach," head coach Bill Neale said. "It was a lot of fun, we had been struggling."
When Evangel University started the top of the first with three hits and a run, Neale wasn't worried.
"(Evangel) hit one ball really hard, but the rest were just kind of well placed and stuff like that."
A scoreless bottom of the first didn't throw the Coyotes off though, as the Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes were able to set the tone of the game with six runs in the bottom of the second. Catcher Tyler Favretto started the offense for KWU, with a baseline single. After a Zack Beatty double, third baseman Reese Bishop was able to take a trip around the bases to bring them all home.
The offense didn't slow down from there, with the Coyotes tacking on six more runs, ending the game at 7 innings.
Center Fielder Kendall Foster and Bishop led the Coyotes with three RBIs each.
Jarrett Brannen pitched a complete game, earning a victory and recording six strikeouts.
"He got right into his normal groove, we weren't worried about him," Neale said. "We were more worried about our offense. JB's going to be JB for us."
Thanks to Brannen, the Coyotes will be working with a full bullpen for tomorrow's doubleheader against Evangel, where they'll go for the sweep.
"Having two innings off helps our pitching staff and any time you run-rule somebody it's kind of a step up," Neale said. "Especially in the first game of the series. We're facing their ace, they're facing our ace, so being able to put up the numbers that we did offensively is a good thing."
The Coyotes play next on Saturday with game one against Evangel University starting at 12:00 PM.
