SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Kansas Wesleyan Softball picked up a big doubleheader split with the Evangel Valor on Friday.
 
After dropping the first game 3-0, the Coyotes got a 2-1 win in the second game for the split.
 
Briannah Kutschkau's diving catch in the bottom of the seventh of the second game was the play of the day, keeping the game-tying run from scoring and ending the game .
 
The first game was scoreless until the bottom of the fourth when Evangel got a run on the board on a double. The Valor added two more runs in the fifth on a triple and sacrifice fly.
 
The Coyotes were limited to two hits in the game, one by Hailey Summers and the other by Kutschka.
 
Keira Hammen led off the third inning of the second game with a double, and  then pinch runner Krista Yackeyonny scored on a double by Trenity Miller.
 
Evangel tied it up in the bottom of the fourth with a run.
 
Grace Pierce homered in the sixth to put the Coyotes up 2-1.
 
Evangel had a leadoff walk to start the bottom of the seventh, but a pop out on a bunt, a ground out and then the line out to end it would strand the runner and give the Coyotes the win.
 
Alli Mickelsen had another outstanding performance in the game with a complete game, allowing the one unearned run on five hits with six strikeouts.
 
Hammen and Josie Buhr had two hits each.
 
The Coyotes play at Bethany on Tuesday to close out the KCAC season. KWU then plays Peru State in a non-conference game rescheduled from early March in the regular season finale.