ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Coming off of 10 straight wins, Southern Nazerene's softball team (17-6, 10-1 GAC) traveled to Arkadelphia, Arkansas to face the Henderson State Reddies (8-14, 4-6 GAC). In the first game of the day, the Crimson Storm lost in a tight game with a score of 2-1. In the second game, the Storm scored an improbable 11 runs in the 10th inning as they would close out the day with a 13-2 thrilling win.
Brooklyn Sparkman got the start in the circle for the first game of the Crimson Storm's double header against Henderson State. Sparkman played admirably, but she did record her first loss of the season. She pitched for five innings, faced nine batters, and threw an astounding seven strikeouts.
Courtney Cox came in relief for SNU as she pitched for one inning and allowed just one hit.
Jacey James had a terrific game for the Storm as she hit .500 and also recorded an RBI.
Peyton Robinson also performed well at the plate as she got a hit and scored SNU's only run of the game.
The game got off to a very dull start as no runs were scored until the Reddies scored in the bottom of the second inning. Robinson scored SNU's first run of the game in the top of the fifth inning off of a fielding error. Offensive production was again limited until Henderson scored again in the top of the 7th inning to take a one run advantage on the Storm. The Crimson Storm would go on to lose the first game 2-1.
In the second game of the day,
Chelsea Vandiver got the nod the start in the circle for the Crimson Storm. Vandiver played a magnificent game as she pitched for all 10 innings and put together a season-high 11 strikeouts.
Mahina Sauer was simply unstoppable at the plate for the Storm as she put together a home-run, 4 RBI, and also scored two runs in the victory.
Caitlyn Curlee added to her already impressive season statistics with 2 RBI, three hits, and she also scored two runs.
Natalie Jones also had an amazing game as she went 4-6, scored two runs, and recorded an RBI.
Brooklyn Sullivan also put together some imposing numbers with a homerun and 2RBI.
Through the first 2 innings of play, SNU didn't score a single run and was down 2-0. In the third inning,
Peyton Robinson scored an unearned run to finally put the Crimson Storm on the scoreboard and cut the Henderson lead to just one.
Both teams' bats went cold, and the game had to go into extra innings after seven complete. Then in a dramatic turn of events, the Crimson Storm unleashed an offensive onslaught. An almost unreal 11 runs were scored by the Storm in the 10th inning alone for them to take a commanding lead.. SNU went on 13-2, beating the Reddies in a shocking fashion.
The Crimson Storm will stay in Arkansas for one more day tomorrow to play another double-header tomorrow with Henderson State. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00pm.
