Caldwell Shuts Out No. 25 Evangel to Secure Split

WALNUT RIDGE, Ark. (2/24/26) – Emberlin Caldwell tossed a complete game shutout against No. 25 Evangel to give the Williams Baptist University softball team its second ranked victory of the season at the WBU Softball Field on Tuesday afternoon.

GAME ONE - (25) Evangel 3, Williams 2

Addison Foster put the Eagles on the board first with a solo home run to right in the second inning.  The lead grew to 2-0 later in the frame when Ivey Jo Perkins lined an RBI single that brought home Madyson  Busselle.

Evangel answered in the fourth by bringing home two runs on an error to tie the game at 2-2.

From there, the game became a pitcher's duel.  Both teams combined to 10 on base in the contest as both starting pitchers combined for 12 strikeouts.

The deciding moment came in the top of the seventh with two consecutive two-out hits from the Valor to score the go-ahead run.  WBU put two runners on in the bottom of the frame off two EU errors, but failed to push across the equalizer after a double play and a caught stealing.

Morgan Garner (2-4) was left on the hook for the loss despite allowing just one earned run and striking out seven in a complete game effort.

GAME TWO - Williams 1, (25) Evangel 0

The game's only score came in the bottom of the third when Kaylee Wolfe delivered an RBI single to right to bring home Ivey Jo Perkins to give WBU a 1-0 lead it would not relinquish.

Emberlin Caldwell was the difference-maker in the circle with a complete-game shutout.  Caldwell allowed just three hits and struck out one consistently pitching out of trouble as Evangel left runners on and couldn't find the timely hit.

Evangel's Madi Bentley matched Caldwell for much of the afternoon and kept the game within reach, but took the loss despite a solid outing. Bentley went 6 innings giving up one run on four hits, and striking out seven.

Evangel managed only three hits and drew five walks but couldn't convert chances into runs.  Caldwell stranded seven Valor runners on the bases to keep EU scoreless.

The win was WBU's second over a top 25 program this season.  Williams took down No. 22 Texas A&M-Texarkana on the road on Feb. 13 by the score of 2-0.

The split moves the Lady Eagles to 8-6 overall this season.  Next, Williams will play host to Missouri Valley on Friday, Feb. 27 in a doubleheader.  First pitch of game one is set for 1 p.m. from the WBU Softball Field.