FROM STAFF REPORTS

Evangel Christian, undefeated during the regular season in Alabama Christian Sports Conference play, continued its winning ways in the second round of the ACSC Tournament on May 1, defeating Hope Christian 16-2.  The tournament was hosted by Hope at Bud Newell Memorial Field in Hueytown.

Evangel was 8-0 in conference play during the season, earning their second straight regular season league championship, and earning a first-round bye in the tournament.  The Eagles had advanced to the second round with a 10-9 first-round win over Success Unlimited Academy of Montgomery in eight innings.

The Lightning jumped out to a 7-0 first inning lead, added two more runs in the second, six in the third and one more in the fourth.  Evangel pounded out 15 hits in the game, and every starter had at least one hit.  Hahn Hahn Lau had three singles and drove in four runs, and Josh Letson had two singles and a double and three RBI to pace the Lightning attack.  Peter Lau added a single and double and drove in two, and Clay O’Neal scored four runs for Evangel.  Chandler Donegan drove in both Hope runs.

On the mound, brothers Ben and Jacob Albright combined on a three-hitter for Evangel, striking out nine Hope batters. Ben Albright picked up the win, improving his record to 5-0 on the season.  Starter Chris Richardson (1-3) took the loss for the Eagles.

Before the tournament, five Evangel players were named all-conference for 2014:  seniors Peter Lau, Josh Letson and Nate Scott, junior Koty Watts, and freshman Stephen Cullen.  Senior Matthew Hyde and junior Bill Etheredge earned all-ACSC honors for Hope.

The Lightning advanced to the third round of the double-elimination tournament, where they’ll face Evangel Family Christian Academy of Montgomery on May 2.  Hope will play an elimination game vs. Tuscaloosa on May 2.

With the win, the Lightning improved their record to 32-4 on the season.  Hope dropped to 18-19.