BASEBALL UNABLE TO CAPITALIZE, LOSES TO MISSOURI VALLEY

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Avila baseball had the winning run on first base in the bottom of the ninth, but was unable to bring him around, falling to Missouri Valley at The Z on Tuesday, 5-4.

The Eagles had a powerful start to the game, scoring three runs via home run in the bottom of the first.

Landon Vahle led the Avila offensive effort off with a solo shot to left center and three batters later, Jack Virden sent a two-run shot over the center field wall to give the Eagles a 3-1 lead after one.

The visiting Vikings would add three total in the third and fourth innings on a double and a two-run homer, but Avila's bats would answer right back.

In the bottom half of the fourth, Avila's first three batters reached base to set up Vahle's second RBI of the day – this time via a fielder's choice.

The Eagles couldn't capitalize further and only managed one run after loading the bases with no outs.

Through four, the score was tied at four.

Out of the pen for the Eagles, Cody Rohrbough tossed two shutout innings, allowing just two baserunners to keep Avila in the game.

Both teams went scoreless from the fifth through eighth innings as the Eagles final non-conference game of the season came down to the wire.

Missouri Valley used old-school ball to put a run together in the ninth to take a 5-4 lead and set up a save opportunity.

In the bottom of the inning, Ricky Dober opened the inning getting hit by a pitch. Back-to-back outs by Avila set up Rusten Traxler to get intentionally walked.

Bottom of the ninth, two runners on, two outs, down by one.

The Eagle bats went quiet in the final out of the game, ending on a strikeout looking and a 5-4 loss. 

Avila will have three big opportunities over the weekend to get back in the win column as they travel to McPherson to take on the Bulldogs.

 (photo credit: Albert Guerrero)