SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The York University baseball team lost a hard-fought 10-9 game at Evangel Thursday afternoon.

The Panthers are now 19-20 on the season, including 16-14 in KCAC action.

In the top of the first, Nicholas DeMonte doubled to the gap in left center field before Jose Martinez was walked and Ian Heck was hit by a pitch to load the bags. Trevor Peterson knocked in DeMonte with a single. Cesar Galvan cleared the bases with a grand slam for a 5-0 advantage.

Leading 5-3 in the fifth, York added a run. Austin Grant posted a one-out single up the middle and took third on a Ryan Romero base knock to left center field. After a steal by Romero and a walk to Sam Hodoly, DeMonte drew a bases loaded walk to push across Grant, giving the visitors a three-run cushion.

With the score at 6-5 in the eighth, York plated three runs. DeMonte got things going with a lead-off single up the middle. Two batters later, Heck blasted a two-run shot over the left field wall for an 8-5 advantage. However, the Panthers were not done. Trevor Peterson promptly hit a rocket over the left field fence for a 9-5 edge.

Evangel countered with three runs in the bottom of the inning to make it 9-8. The Valor managed to score a pair of runs in the ninth for the 10-9 win.

For the game, DeMonte and Peterson had two hits apiece. Galvan led the way with four RBI on the grand slam. Heck and Peterson had two RBI each while DeMonte, Heck and Peterson all scored twice. Galvan, Heck and Peterson launched round-trippers in the contest.

On the mound, James McCown pitched 4.1 innings and had four strikeouts. Sam Maudsley, Anthony Del Rio and Ruben Colliander all saw time on the mound. Del Rio had a strikeout.

The Panthers return to action tomorrow for a doubleheader against Evangel starting at 12 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at Yorkpanthers.com.