BETHANY, Okla. — For the second time this season, Southern Nazarene saw an early lead over Oklahoma Christian disappear as it dropped a nonconference game 16-4 to the Eagles.
 
In the first meeting of the season, SNU scored three runs in the first inning only to lose 15-6 on the road. Once again, the Storm scored three runs in the first inning to take an early lead over the Eagles. Southern Nazarene got its first run when Anthony Wiggins singled to center field to score Gaige Webster. Tyler Stevens followed with a single to score Wiggins, then Shelby Reese drove in Mike Descisciolo to make it 3-0.
 
OC wasted no time striking back, as the first seven batters of the second inning reached base. The big blow was a grand slam from Lane Paul to give OC a 4-3 lead. By the end of the frame, the Eagles led 5-3.
 
The Crimson Storm (7-27) fought back in the bottom half of the inning, as Josh Matelsky led off the frame with his first career home run to get SNU within one.
 
It was all Oklahoma Christian from then on, as the Eagles scored three runs in the fourth, two in the sixth, then the final six runs in the top of the eighth.
 
Southern Nazarene had plenty of opportunities to narrow the gap, but was never able to take advantage. In each of the final six innings, SNU had runners in scoring position. In four of those innings, the Storm had a runner in scoring position with nobody out, but were still unable to capitalize.
 
Cameron Ray (0-1) made his first career start and surrendered five runs on six hits and two walks over two innings pitched. Matelsky led the way at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two singles and a home run, to go along with a run scored and an RBI. Reese added two hits for the Storm, while SNU as a team left eight men on base.