BENTONVILLE, Ark. — In its first appearance in the Great American Conference Championship game, Southern Nazarene fell 2-1 to Arkansas Tech Sunday at the Tiger Athletic Complex.
 
The Crimson Storm (27-28-1) held a 1-0 lead heading into the fifth inning, but the Golden Suns (43-17) scored one run in the fifth and seventh innings to secure their first GAC championship in school-history.
 
Katelyn Brown was phenomenal again in the circle, as the senior allowed two runs, one earned, six hits, and recorded one strikeout. Brown was also named to the GAC All-Tournament team.
 
Southern Nazarene out-hit Arkansas Tech 8-6 and each team recorded an error as well. Sophomore Mahina Sauer led the way at the plate for SNU as she finished 2-for-3. Cheyenne Reynolds and Kendal Stockstill each went 1-for-2 at the plate, while Sydni Toilolo finished 1-for-3 with an RBI in her final game in a Storm jersey. Kai Sanchez drew a walk and went 1-for-1 with the SNU's only run scored.
 
Kaley Knox went 1-for-4, while Caitlyn Curlee finished 1-for-3 at the plate. Both Knox and Curlee joined Brown on the GAC All-Tournament team.
 
Toilolo's single in the bottom of the second scored Sanchez to give the Crimson Storm a 1-0 lead. Brown gave up her first run in the last 12 innings pitched in the top of the fifth, as the Golden Suns tied the game 1-1.
 
ATU pushed one run across the plate in the top of the seventh to take the 2-1 lead, and the Storm had a great chance to answer in the final half-inning. Kendal Stockstill got on base with two outs, and Sauer drew a walk to put the winning run on first.
 
Brown had a chance at the plate, but hit a line drive to right field that ATU secured for the win.