BETHANY, Okla.—Southern Nazarene overcame an abundance of errors in the field to earn an 11-6 win over Northwestern Oklahoma State on Friday afternoon in the series opener.
Southern Nazarene (13-18, 10-7 GAC) committed an uncharacteristic seven errors in the field but used an impressive day at the plate to earn the win over Northwestern (12-18-1, 6-12 GAC). They used 13 hits, 5 of which went for extra bases, to propel them to the victory.
It took no time at all for the Crimson Storm offense to get going. They scored three runs in the first after Liana Heshiki led the game off with a double. Heshiki, Emma Swearingen, and Hailie Fellers then all came around to score after Hailey Evans laced a single accompanied by an error to push SNU in front 3-0.
The Storm added two more runs in the second inning three straight hits, two of which were doubles, from Natalie Jones, Caitlyn Curlee (Bates), and Emma Swearingen. All of SNU's first five runs came with two outs in the inning.
SNU decided to mix it up in the third inning and get the rally started early. They tallied four runs on four hits before Northwestern even recorded an out, leading to a commanding 9-0 lead on the scoreboard.
Southern Nazarene seemed primed to earn their first run-rule victory of the season, but the Rangers plated three runs in the top of fifth to thwart those dreams. All three runs were unearned as the Crimson Storm committed two of their seven errors in the inning.
Holding a 9-3 lead as the Storm prepared to bat in the bottom of the fifth, they moved within a run of the run-rule after Anna Icenhower led the inning off with a pinch-hit solo home run, the only homer by either side of the day. The Storm never earned the run-rule, though, as they went 1-2-3 following Icenhower's bomb.
SNU gave up three more runs in the sixth inning after plunking three straight batters and committing another error, but got out of the inning as the tying run grounded into an inning-ending double play with the bases loaded.
Jennifer Romero-Ivarson earned her eighth win of the season in the circle. She pitched 5.1 innings, striking out five batters. She gave up 6 runs, but just 2 were earned. Chelsea Vandiver pitched the final 1.2 innings, giving up just 1 hit without allowing a run.
Liana Heshiki, Natalie Jones, Caitlyn Curlee (Bates), and Emma Swearingen all recorded multiple hits in the game. Jones' hits were both doubles, while Heshiki and Swearingen each roped one double. Hailey Evans led the team with three RBIs.
The win marks five straight series opening wins for the Crimson Storm. They will hope that leads to another series win tomorrow as SNU prepares for a double-header with Northwestern tomorrow. First pitch is set for 12:00 p.m. at the SNU Softball Field.
