BETHANY, Okla.—Southern Nazarene split the Saturday afternoon double-header with Arkansas-Monticello, barely hanging onto a 6-5 win in game one before falling 13-3 in game two.
Game 1:
Southern Nazarene just barely held onto a 6-5 win over Monticello in game one on Saturday. The Storm held a 6-0 lead heading into the final inning, but a furious UAM rally saw five runs scored in the final inning before SNU finally stranded the tying and go-ahead runs on second and third.
The Storm used a three run second inning to jump in front. McKayla Franks' bunt scored Kenley Thompson from third base for the game's first run. Franks came around to score, along with Emma Swearingen, the following batter when Macy Stewart ripped a double into the right-center field gap.
SNU starting pitcher Maddie Southerland continued to pitch well from the circle through the first six innings. She allowed just five hits through those first six innings and forced the Blossoms to leave eight runners on base.
The Crimson Storm were able to tack on three more runs in the game between the fifth and sixth innings, which proved to be crucial insurance runs. SNU's run in the fifth inning came courtesy of a leadoff error that allowed Kennedy Sherer to make her way all the way around to third base. Sydney Sundbye brought her home the next at-bat with an RBI groundout. The Storm then tacked on two more in the sixth inning when Kennedy Sherer's single scored both Allyson Haessly and McKayla Franks.
SNU carried a commanding 6-0 lead into the seventh and final inning, but that lead quickly dwindled after a huge Monticello rally. The first seven batters of the inning all reached base for the Blossoms, including six hits, three of which went for extra bases. With no outs in the inning, UAM placed the tying run on third base and the go-ahead run on second base.
Janie Worthington then entered the circle for the Crimson Storm and dashed any hopes Monticello had of tying the game. She retired the next three batters by forcing a lineout, a bunt popout, and strikeout to end the game. It marked her second save of the season.
Kennedy Sherer, Liana Heshiki, and Macy Stewart each recorded multiple hits in the game. Stewart and Sherer added 2 RBIs in the game, while Stewart and Heshiki each notched a double.
Game 2:
Once Monticello found their offense in the seventh inning of game one, they carried it into game two. The Blossoms scored 13 runs on 18 hits on their way to a 13-5 win to take the series two games to one over SNU.
Southern Nazarene struck first in the second inning when Kennedy Sherer hit a ball that ricocheted off the pitcher's glove that allowed Natalie Jones to come around and score from second base.
Monticello responded the next half inning with a three-spot and never looked back. They broke the game open in the fifth inning with a six-running inning that threatened to end the game after five innings. The Storm were able to extend the game after scoring on a wild pitch in the bottom of the fifth, but a Monticello solo-shot in the sixth once again pushed the game into run-rule territory at 10-2.
The Storm continued to fight to extend the game. They once again scored one run to avoid the run-rule when Sydney Sundbye hit a sacrifice fly that brought home pinch runner Noa Dodson.
Unfortunately for SNU, with each run they added, Monticello continued to answer. They scored three more in the top half of the seventh after a lead-off home run and a two-RBI double later in the inning.
Despite trailing by 10 runs in the seventh, SNU continued to show fight. They scored two runs on three hits when Brooklyn Sullivan singled home Graysen Stanley and Allyson Haessly.
Liana Heshiki continued her excellent run at the plate, going 3-3 in the game. She finished the series 7-for-9 at the dish and extended her hitting streak to 11 games.
SNU will look to regroup next week, but must do so in a tough double-header matchup at No. 9 Central Oklahoma. SNU already has one top-10 win over an MIAA team this season when they defeated No. 1 Rogers State. Historically, SNU is just 1-9 all-time against UCO. The Bronchos have won seven straight. The double-header is set for Tuesday evening at 5:00 p.m. in Edmond.
