By DREW GRANTHUM/Sports Writer

To put it bluntly, the Evangel Lightning softball team didn’t just capture the 2014 North River Christian softball tournament. The squad dominated on its path to the title, outscoring opponents faced in five games 46-8.

After opening up the tournament’s pool play round with a 10-1 rout of rival Hope Christian, the Lightning set its sights on Ezekiel Academy.

The Lightning took care of the Knights in three innings, 10-3. An eight-run first inning paved the way, as Jessyca Ray covered all three innings on the mound. Anna Vaughn went 1-for-3 with two RBIs in the win.

The Lightning then moved on to face North River in the final round of pool play, taking down the Chargers 8-4. Emily Murray handled pitching duties, giving up four earned runs on five hits. Lucy Sullivan led the way batting, going 2-for-2 with two RBIs.

A rematch with North River in the first round of the tournament saw the Lightning shut out the Chargers, 8-0. Ray and Murray split time on the mound, with Ray also going 2-for-3 at the plate with two runs scored and five RBIs. Jordan Swindle had three runs scored in the contest.

In the championship round, the Lightning posted yet another shutout, this time against Ezekiel. The Lightning exploded for 10 runs in the contest, as several players contributed to the outpour.

Swindle, Ray, Vaughn, Murray, Sullivan, Maggie Morse and Annie Hoge all crossed the plate in the blowout. Ray tossed a two-hitter, striking out three in the contest.

With the win, the Lightning moved to 15-4 on the season, and move on to face Ezekiel April 7 in Montgomery.