Park University's softball program traveled to Springfield, Mo. for two games with a formidable (RV) Evangel University club on Friday. The Pirates' offense was held down by the Valor though, as took two wins, 3-1 and 7-1.

The Pirates are on an eight-game skid, while Evangel has won their last six conference matchups. Park is now 12-15 on the year with a 1-7 Heart of America Athletic Conference record. The Valor are now 22-8 and 9-1 of the same and are atop the Heart South division.

In the series, Park was held to only seven hits and a total of two runs, meanwhile the Valor scored 10 runs on 17 hits.

GAME 1 BOX SCORE | 1-3

Park's lone run and Evangel's lone error came on the same play, as Shelby Sanders hit a two-out base hit to right field. The error by the right fielder allowed Sanders to come all the way around and score on the same play.

Brooke Conner and Lexie Schroeder were the only other two Pirates to get hits the rest of the game.

Five shutout innings by Adrianna Solary gave the Pirates a real chance. After a lead-off baserunner was caught stealing by Paige McPheeters, five hits came in for the Valor, including two bunt singles and a double. In one inning, the Valor were able to get it all back from Park, holding on for the 3-1 victory.

Solary finished her outing with six innings pitched on seven hits, two walks, and three strikeouts.

GAME 2 BOX SCORE | 1-7

Evangel picked up where they left off in game two and, when including the last inning of game one, the Valor scored in five consecutive innings.

In the first inning, Park fell victim to another three-spot on three hits and one error. A two-run home run was the big initiator for Evangel to start off the game.

Over the next three innings, four runs would score to put the Valor up 7-0.

Kali Day's double to left center scored Sanders who walked to reach base, but that was all Park had to show on the board in their four-hit effort. Day was two-for-four in her at-bats, while her teammates Dani Klein and Carmen Miller each had a hit in game two.

The Pirates had less walks allowed with only one between Lauren Fiene and Dakota Rau compared to five walks by Evangel. Evangel edged Park when comparing errors though, as three were committed by the Pirates and only one by the Valor.

Fiene pitched four innings and allowed 10 hits with only one strikeout. Rau in relief was good as you can be with two scoreless and hitless innings to close the game at 7-1.

Park and Graceland University is the next matchup on the calendar with a doubleheader tomorrow, Saturday, April 8 at 1pm at the Park Softball Complex. Watch the live-action here.