ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The Southern Nazarene softball team closed out their 2021 regular season on Saturday afternoon with a pair of 5-2 and 8-0 losses to Ouachita Baptist on the road. SNU will now await their opponent for the Great American Conference Championships in a few weeks' time.
 
The Crimson Storm (20-19, 18-12 GAC) couldn't get their bats going in either contest as they managed just four hits in the first game of the doubleheader and five in the series finale. The Tigers recorded double-digit hits in both games on their home field as they made it difficult all day long for SNU.
 
Game 1
 
Brooklyn Sparkman got the start in the circle for Southern Nazarene and took the loss with 4.1 innings of work. She struck out three hitters and allowed two runs on five hits. Madi Arnold came out of the bullpen to provide 1.1 innings of action as she allowed just two hits and a walk.
 
Caitlyn Curlee was one of just four Storm batters to record a hit as she provided two of those in a 2-for-3 finish with a run scored. Sydney Sundbye, Natalie Jones, and Brooklyn Sullivan were the trio to tally a base knock as Sundbye touched the plate as well.
 
Ouachita got things going in the first inning by scoring a run to take the early 1-0 lead. The Tigers got another run across in the third to push their advantage to 2-0 before plating five runs in the fifth to extend the game to 5-0. The Crimson Storm's bats finally came alive in the top of the seventh as they plated two runs to make things interesting. With runners on base, Ouachita closed the door to take the game 5-2.
 
Game 2
SNU's hitting woes carried over into the series finale as they recorded just five hits while Ouachita racked up 14. Hannah Sattler got the start in the circle for the Storm as she earned the loss, giving up three runs on three hits. Brooklyn Sparkman, Madi Arnold, Mahina Sauer, and Jayleigh Totten all came out of the SNU bullpen as they combined for three strikeouts.
 
Sydney Sundbye led the way at the plate with a 2-for-2 effort while Mahina Sauer, Caitlyn Curlee, and Hailie Fellers all finished 1-for-2 for the Crimson Storm.
 
Ouachita's bats stayed hot in the opening inning as they plated three runs to take the early 3-0 lead. The Tigers added two more runs in the third and one more in the fourth to extend their lead to 6-0. Heading into the bottom of the fifth, OBU plated two more runs, securing the five-inning run-rule.
 
Southern Nazarene will take next weekend off before heading to Bentonville, Arkansas for the 2021 GAC Championships. They will enter the tournament as either the No. 4 or No. 5 seed and will take on Harding.