CLAREMORE, Okla. — Southern Nazarene's historic run has come to an end after getting knocked out by No. 2 Rogers State for a second time in the Central Region Tournament, losing to the host team 4-0.
The Storm (40-17, 25-8 GAC) have a lot to be proud of this 2024 season, not only having their most wins in a season since joining the Division II, but they also became the 2024 GAC Tournament Champions after knocking out Southern Arkansas in Bentonville, Arkansas. 

Getting the automatic into the Central Region Tournament, SNU made the run of a lifetime, bouncing back from their first-round loss and grabbing three consecutive wins to make it to what could have been the first of two rounds of the championship game. SNU was the lowest seed in Division II (seventh) at the time to make it to a title game. Unfortunately for Brian Madden's squad, the second seed Hillcats ( 46-10, 23-3 MIAA) edged the Storm once more to advance to the Super Regional, grabbing the final 4-0 victory on their home diamond.

The first two innings were scoreless between both squads, but each had a few bright spots on offense. The Hillcats were the first to break the ice, launching a solo home run to left field to gain the 1-0 edge over SNU. Starting pitcher Kaitlyn Woodard and the SNU defense put the Hillcats away shortly after, quickly sending them their third out to keep them with that lone run. 

Back-to-back singles from Emma Swearingen and Kristen Mullendore put two on for the Storm in hopes of returning the favor to the Hillcats. RSU warded that off with three consecutive outs to move into the bottom fourth, still ahead 1-0. 

A double set up a run-scoring single for Roger's State, bumping them ahead 2-0 for Janie Worthington delivered them their third out to turn over the inning. Southern Nazarene struggled to wake up their bats and suffered through a quick three up, three down fifth inning. 

SNU defended the 2-0 gap and left the Hillcats stranded after a double in the bottom fifth, grabbing the quick three outs to move into inning number six. SNU felt the pressure as they were forced through another quick frame and putting Rogers State back at the plate once more. 

After an RSU, three walks, a fielder's choice, and an SNU wild pitch, the Hillcats put down a single that brought home two runners, quickly moving ahead 4-0 before reaching their final out of the inning. 

A Hillcat fielding error and an Emma Green single gave the Storm a bit of offensive momentum in hopes of cutting the deficit, but already with two outs under their belt early, they reached the third by a ground out. No. 2 Rogers State was able to seal SNU's losing fate with the final 4-0 victory on their home diamond, advancing to the Super Regional while ending SNU's epic and historic 2024 postseason run. 

Despite not getting the result they worked for, Brian Madden and his team have done remarkable things this 2024 season and have a lot to look forward to as the program continues to grow and succeed. The Storm finished 40-17 overall and 25-8 in the conference, making it the farthest the program has ever seen in postseason play.