MONTICELLO, Ark.— Ryan O'Donnell's walk in the top of the ninth inning scored the game-winning run for Southern Nazarene in its 8-6 win over Arkansas-Monticello.
 
The Boll Weevils (3-3, 0-1 GAC) scored first as they gained a 4-0 lead through the first four innings of play. The Crimson Storm got on the board in the top of the fifth when Michael Descisciolo singled to left field and drove in Anthony Wiggins. They cut the deficit to one run in the top of the seventh as Gaige Webster doubled to left field to drive in Descisciolo and later scored off a fielding error.
 
Arkansas-Monticello extended their lead to three runs with two RBI singles in the bottom of the seventh. Southern Nazarene cut the lead down to two runs in the top of the eighth as Wiggins flied out to right field and drove in Kyle Fultz.
 
In the top of the ninth, the Crimson Storm scored four runs with all of them coming with the bases loaded. The Boll Weevils hit three consecutive batters. Fultz was hit by a pitch to load the bases and then Caleb Teel and Wiggins were both hit by a pitch to tie the game at 6-6. The Arkansas-Monticello made a pitching change, but the new pitcher proceeded to walk O'Donnell and Descisciolo to give Southern Nazarene the 8-6 lead.
 
Descisciolo moved from right field to pitcher in the bottom of the ninth. The Boll Weevil's first batter flied out to third base. Their second batter struck out swinging. With two outs, Descisciolo hit the next batter to put one runner on base. Their next batter singled to right field to put the tying run on base. With two outs and two runners on base, their next batter hit a ground ball to third base and Brandon Dormaier got the out to end the game.
 
Mason Pinion made his first start of the season as he pitched two innings, allowed two runs on three hits and had three strikeouts. Zach Friesen (1-0) picked up the win in the first appearance of his career as he pitched two innings, allowed three hits and had one strikeout. Descisciolo picked up his first save of the year as he pitched one inning, allowed one hit, and had one strikeout.
 
Descisciolo went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and one run scored. Webster went 2-for-4 with one RBI, two runs scored, and two doubles. Teel went 2-for-3 with one double and one run scored. Wiggins went 2-for-4 with one RBI and one run scored.
 
This is the first season that the Crimson Storm has won their GAC opener since they started GAC play in 2013.