BETHANY, Okla. - The Crimson Storm got back on track as they hosted the East Central Tigers for the second time this season. Southern Nazarene exploded for a total of 19 runs to defeat the Tigers once again and get back into the win column.

After playing their regular season series, SNU (5-21, 3-10 GAC) took two games from the Tigers (6-17, 2-11 GAC). The Storm looked to get back on track against East Central after falling in two close games last weekend at Northwestern Oklahoma State. 

Southern Nazarene did just that as they jumped out to a quick 3-0 start thanks to a Trey Orman bomb over the center field wall. Gabriel Sanchez started on the mound for the Storm handing the Tigers a scoreless first frame.

East Central got one back in the top of the second after SNU misplayed a ball in the outfield. SNU answered right back with a handful of singles to jump ahead 10-1 after just two innings of play.

The Tigers did not go away as they tacked on two more runs in the top of the third with a two run single to cut the deficit to seven. The Crimson Storm bats stayed hot as Jacob Matrtinez doubled to bring home another run stretching the SNU lead once more. Southern Nazarene did not stop there as Orman blasted his second home run of the day to give SNU a 10 run advantage. 

Zack Robinson took over for Sanchez on the mound to begin the fourth as he delivered a scoreless inning to keep the Tiger offense quiet. ECU made a pitching change as they handed the Storm their first scoreless frame in the bottom of the fourth.

Southern Nazarene continued to hold off the East Central bats, holding them to just three runs after the top of the fifth. SNU then tacked on five more runs thanks to a handful of walks and a couple of Tiger errors to lead 18-3 after five. 

The Tigers got a few base runners on with back to back hits by pitches that eventually scored on a single to left. Robinson worked out of the jam stopping the ECU offense. The Storm tacked on one final run to lead 19-5 as they entered run rule territory.

The Storm needed just three final outs so they looked to Levi Graham to close out the contest. The Tigers leadoff with a single right before Graham retired the next three batters giving SNU the 19-5 victory over the Tigers.

Orman led the SNU offense going 3-4 with two home runs. Sanchez collected the win after three innings of work.

Next Up

The Storm will hit the road to take on the No. 7 ranked Southern Arkansas Muleriders. The two squads are set to play a double header Friday, March 15 at 3:00 p.m. and a single game Saturday, March 26 at 1:00 p.m. in Magnolia, AR.