The (RV) Raven Baseball team wrapped up Heart South play on Saturday with a doubleheader sweep over Evangel University on Laughlin Field at Olsen Stadium.
Benedictine (20-8, 12-7 Heart) earned the doubleheader sweep over the Evangel (14-19, 5-16 Heart) a day after earning a series-opening win over the Crusaders.
On Friday, the two teams needed 12 innings to decide the final outcome as the Ravens walked away with an 8-7 win on a walk-off single from Danny Favazza. On Saturday, the Ravens rallied behind a pair of quality starts as the wrapped up the sweep with wins of 1-0 and 5-1.
In the series opener, Jacob Slaten earned the win in relief of Michael Kruse. Kruse threw eight innings, giving up five earned runs off 10 hits before Slaten entered to hold the Crusaders scoreless over four innings to earn the win.
At the plate, the Ravens nine Ravens recorded a double. Austin Watamaniuk, Jacob Pavlyak and Jordan Williams all had a pair of doubles while Logan Finley, Favazza and Drew Piontek added a double each. Williams led the team with three RBI while Favazza finished with two.
In Saturday's opener, Kam Miller silenced the Crusaders bats, holding them to just four hits over six and one-third innings. Miller finished with two strikeouts to earn the win before Trevor Albert recorded the final two outs of the game to earn the save.
Benedictine's lone run came on a solo homerun from Daryl Myers in the fourth inning. Williams added a double as the Ravens were limited to just three hits.
In the series finale, Ben Hankammer went seven innings to earn the win. He finished with two strikeouts while giving up just one run off four hits before Slaten threw the final two innings in relief.
Finley and Myers recorded a double each at the plate with Myers added three RBI. Williams was credited with an RBI as Watamaniuk finished with a perfect game at the plate, going 3 for 3 with two runs scored and a walk.
With the sweep, the Ravens now have sole possession of second place in the Heart South. They have six games remaining in conference play with doubleheaders against Peru State College, Graceland University and Culver-Stockton College. They take on Peru State on April 28 at 1 p.m. Thursday before wrapping up their home schedule on April 20 against Graceland at 1 p.m.
