BETHANY, Okla. - The Crimson Storm hosted the Rogers State Hillcats for a midweek matchup at Feland Field. Both squads racked up the runs, but the Hillcats came out on top in an offensive battle in Bethany.

The Storm (3-8, 0-3 GAC) looked to Trey Orman to begin the contest on the bump against RSU (7-3, 0-0 MIAA). The Rogers State offensive got off to a quick start plating three runs before recording an out. The Storm looked to Landon Kinder in relief on the mound as he got three quick outs to turnover the inning.

The SNU offense struggled to get started as the Hillcats recorded a quick three-up three-down inning. Kinder continued to dominate RSU on the mound, leaving them scoreless in the second inning. The Hillcats continued to keep the Storm offense quiet as well not allowing a run to cross the plate.

Southern Nazarene looked to Parker Presley to take over on the mound. The Hillcats were unphased by the pitching change, plating three more runs to lead it 6-0 in the third. The Storm offense rallied together in the third to put together an eight-run inning.

Rogers State made a pitching change to begin the third as the Storm began to spark their offense. A few walks would cost RSU as the Storm plated one via walk. SNU would then plate another run on a hit-by-pitch to Dax Edmonds. The Hillcats would make another pitching change but the Crimson Storm picked up right where they left off.

Singles from Blake Brinkmeyer and Colby Entwistle would cut the lead 6-4. Orman was the highlight of the inning as he blasted a grand slam to push the Storm ahead 8-6 after three.

The Hillcats continued to battle as they took advantage of another new SNU pitcher. Levi Graham would enter the contest for the Storm as he took over on the mound for Presley. RSU doubled down the right field line to plate two and tied the score eight-all.

The Storm was able to tack on another run in the bottom of the fourth to snag back the 9-8 lead thanks to a ground ball from Edmonds. 

RSU continued to have a response for every Storm run as they sent a two-run home run over the scoreboard to take back the lead 10-8. Oraman continued his rampage at the plate, sending his second home run of the day over the fence to put SNU back up 11-10 after five innings of play.

Oliver Wilson would enter the contest on the mound for SNU, throwing two scoreless innings before Zack Robinson took over. A couple of Storm errors would prove to be costly as the Hillcats jumped back in front 12-11 in the seventh.

The SNU offense was silenced for the remainder of the day as Rogers State continued their scoring. The Hillcats were able to take advantage of a wild pitch and a few more Storm errors to bring across three more runs in the eighth. 

Gunner Phillips would be the last Storm member to take the mound in the final inning of play. The Hillcats continued to swing it leading off the inning with a double that would eventually score on a home run. This left Rogers State in the driver's seat only needing three outs to defeat the Storm.

RSU captured the win leaving Southern Nazarene scoreless in the ninth, as the Hillcats claimed the hefty 17-11 victory in Bethany.

Orman led the SNU offense going 2-4 with a two-run home run and a grand slam. He also picked up six RBIs on the day. 

Next Up

The Storm will travel to Russellville to take on the Wonder Boys of Arkansas Tech. The two are set to play a single game on Friday, February 23 at 6:00 p.m. and a double-header Saturday, February 24th at 1:00 p.m.