SHAWNEE, Okla. – The reigning 2023 GAC Regular Season Champions of Oklahoma Baptist lived up to their title Tuesday night after shutting out Southern Nazarene by a final score of 10-0. The Bison (16-6, 10-0 GAC) only had to work through five innings thanks to the impressive pitching of Kaleigh Jones, delivering a no-hitter towards the Storm (16-10, 10-4 GAC).

A five-run first inning was just enough to give OBU the burst they needed to stay in control of the offense, highlighted by two home runs to help lift the Bison to a 5-0 start. Worthington started inside the circle for the Storm, but was quickly relieved by Freshman Ashley Larson, hoping to cut SNU's deficit down moving into the second inning. 

SNU was unable to find any momentum at the plate, leaving Jones to retire the side once more to open up another homerun for the Bison in bottom half of the inning, securing three more RBIs for the Bison to lead 8-0. 

The Storm still struggled to find a groove and the Bison capitalized, putting up a single and a ground out for two additional runs at the end of the third. The Storm looked to Katelyn Woodward late in the contest to help quiet the Bison's, serving a scoreless fourth inning to OBU, their first of the contest. 

SNU searched for an answer to escape the run-rule, but Jones stood strong inside the circle for OBU, delivering three quick outs in the top of the fifth to ward off the Storm for the final 10-0 victory in Shawnee. This continued the Bison's undefeated streak in GAC play as they achieved their 10th consecutive conference victory. 

Up Next

The Storm look to rattle off the loss as they host No. 19 Southern Arkansas this weekend in Bethany. SNU will face off with the Muelriders on Friday, March 15th at 3 p.m. followed by a noon doubleheader the following Saturday. SAU has only lost two conference games this season.