EDMOND, Okla.—Runs came early and often for both teams as Southern Nazarene earned their first victory of the season in a wild 14-9 contest with Fort Hays State on Friday afternoon.
This is the second weekend of three that the Crimson Storm (1-4) are taking part in a weekend festival. Last weekend, SNU headed to Texas where they faced some very stiff competition in the Arkansas Tech Classic.They stayed closer to home this time and it panned out well for the offense as they banged out 15 hits on the way to 14 runs. Fort Hays State (1-4) found plenty of offensive success as well, smacking 12 hits in the game, but it would not be enough to keep up with the SNU firepower.
The Storm led from the fourth batter of the game onwards. After Liana Heshiki doubled to open the game and the next two batters reached base safely, Caitlyn Curlee (Bates) patiently drew a walk to bring home the first of many runs. Natalie Jones would then single home a run, followed by a two-run single off the bat of London Lewis, giving the Storm a 4-0 advantage. The first inning fireworks were done there, though, as Natalie Jones pulled off a steal of home to give SNU an early five run lead. The five runs were more than SNU scored in any game last weekend.
Offense continued to flow into the second inning for SNU. They added three more runs on four hits, and nearly came away with a fourth but a great throw from the outfield would nab Hannah Morales at the plate for the final out of the inning.
It was imperative that SNU keep scoring, though, as Fort Hays had no intentions of laying down without a fight. The Tigers scored in every inning but the final seventh inning. After falling behind 8-1 in the top of the second, FHSU scored five unanswered runs to trim the deficit to just two runs. Each team then added a run in the fourth, creating a 9-7 score through four innings.
Southern Nazarene finally broke the game open for good in the fifth inning by putting up a four-spot on five base hits. The Storm were then finally able to breathe with a late 13-7 advantage and would eventually settle for the 14-9 win.
Four different Storm players notched multi-hit days, including a pair of four-hit days from Liana Heshiki and Natalie Jones. Heshiki collected SNU's lone extra-base hit with the leadoff double, while Natalie Jones led the team with 3 RBIs.
Hailie Fellers and London Lewis were the other Storm members with multiple hits as each went 2-for-4 at the plate with a pair of RBIs.
Jennifer Romero, Hannah Sattler, and Chelsea Vandiver combined to work the seven innings in the circle.
The Crimson Storm are back in action tomorrow as they prepare for a tough double-header at the University of Central Oklahoma. SNU will take on Rogers State at 12:45 p.m. before battling UCO at 5:15 p.m.
