ALVA, Okla. — Southern Nazarene Baseball did not fool around in Alva as they opened their series with Northwestern Oklahoma State with a huge 10-1 takedown over the Rangers.
The Storm (5-26, 2-17 GAC) limited the Rangers (14-16, 9-11 GAC) to just a single run, led by sophomore pitcher Casey Minchey who dominated on the mound as he pitched a complete game, recording the teams most strikeouts in a game this season with 11. SNU's offense was on fire across the lineup as every batter recorded at least one hit, serving a season high 15 that game.
SNU's leading batter EJ Taylor opened the game on fire as usual, blasting one to left field to earn SNU a quick 1-0 score.
Colby Entwistle tacked on two more runs as his single sent Brian Brown and Taylor in for the score. SNU wasn't finished that inning as Oliver Wilson singled to left field, plating Entwistle to make it a 4-0 game in the third.
Northwestern put up their first and only run that same inning, brought by a solo home run to left field.
Taylor's walk and Brown's sacrifice fly would score three in third before they went went cold in the 5th and 6th innings.
The Storm heated back up the rest of the way, starting with a Tyler Broyles single that sent in DJ Van Atten to make it 8-1. Wilson gave SNU another single in 8th, giving Taylor and Cole Embrey the trip home.
Both teams reached three quick outs in the final inning, but the Storm were out of reach, opening the series with a smooth 10-1 victory to start 1-0 over the Rangers.
Taylor earned his eighth home run of the season with his solo home run to open the game, finishing 3-4 on the afternoon.
Entwistle was a force at the plate, cranking out a 2-3 finish with four RBI's, one off a double.
Wilson recorded three RBI's that game with his 3-5 finish. Brown and Broyles each recorded an RBI as well.
SNU continues the series with a doubleheader Saturday, April 2nd beginning at 1:00 p.m.
