OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — Only one team really finishes any season satisfied and that's the one holding the trophy. While there were many tears and lots of disappointment for Southern Nazarene in a 3-2 loss to Oklahoma Christian to end its run at the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament, the 2011 SNU team should walk away from this season with a major sense of accomplishment and what they've built for the future.
The Crimson Storm (44-16) entered the 2011 season with high expectations and should have with a huge core returning. This team accomplished something that no other team in school history had; a school record for wins and the only team in school history to post at least 40 wins amongst other high points along the way.
OC though ended the 2011 campaign as it scored three runs in the top of the sixth to take the lead away from SNU and held on for the win.
SNU scored two quickly with one in the first and one in the second to lead 2-0. The first came on a Kristina Forest single that dropped just in front of a diving second baseman and allowed Katie Turner to score from second. The Storm pushed another across in the second when Kara Crawford scored on an OC error.
The Lady Eagles then turned it over to Ashley Paxton who didn't allow a hit from the third inning on until being lifted in the seventh.
Kaci Crawford had allowed just two hits and a walk heading into the sixth when Diedre Chatigny doubled to center to lead off the inning. Davee Croy then tied the game with a two-run shot to left center. Kayla Jennings scored later in the inning on a sacrifice fly to right to give OC the 3-2 lead.
SNU was held scoreless in the sixth, but Jones was hit by a pitch to lead off the seventh and Turner drew a one-out walk to put runners at first and second. Paxton was then lifted for Kimberly Cusher. Katie Hale laid down a sac bunt that pushed the runners to second and third, but left first open for and OC took advantage by walking Amy Madden. Kristina Forest grounded out back to the circle to end the game.
Paxton picked up the win and Cusher got the save as Kaci Crawford fell to 21-7 on the season.
Turner, Forest and Kara Crawford were the only Storm to get hits.
