CLAREMORE, Okla. – In their first-ever Central Region Tournament appearance, Southern Nazarene Softball fell in a hard-fought battle to the second-seed and host, Rogers State by a final score of 7-0.
The reigning Great American Conference Champions were in high spirits heading into their first regional matchup, only having to travel two and half hours to the regional site while getting the chance to avenge their 8-0 loss to the Hillcats (44-10, 23-3 MIAA) earlier this season. Unfortunately for the Storm (38-16, 25-8 GAC), Rogers State had two explosive innings that were just enough to put SNU away for the final seven-run victory.
Southern Nazarene wasted no time getting runners on base, as
Hailey Evans walked and Kenedi Morleock reached on a fielder's choice to put the pressure on RSU. The Hillcats were able to work out of the jam and deliver the Storm two consecutive strikeouts to turn over the inning.
Worthington got the go for the starting circle appearance and returned the favor to the Hillcats in the bottom of the first, leaving one stranded on base after forcing a pop-up and two strikeouts to head into the second inning.
The second inning was much of the same as Southern Nazarene's
Sydney Sundbye and
Mikayla Oaks produced two singles to fill two bases, but SNU had reached their third out to remain without a score. The Hillcats dealt through the same fate, only getting a walk to fill a base, but were also left without a run courtesy of the Storm defense.
SNU struggled to elevate the action, settling for just a single in the third to put the Hillcats back at the plate. Rogers State had enough of the 0-0 score and blasted a three-run home run to left field, ending the tie to lead 3-0 before Worthington ended the damage with a strikeout.
The Storm searched for an edge and were able to challenge the Hillcats with three consecutive reaches on a fielder's choice, but were quickly placed back on defense after Sundbye and
McKayla Franks were both out advancing the bases. Worthington and the Storm defense continued to keep RSU at those three runs, allowing only a walk in the bottom fourth before Worthington sent three strikeouts the way of the Hillcats.
The Storm offense still had yet to heat up, suffering through a quick top of the fifth still without a run. Rogers State found a spark once more and singled to center field to score one, bumping their lead to 4-0. With two runners on base, the Hillcats chalked out another long ball over the right-center fence, earning another three-run homer to rocket their lead to 7-0 with two outs under their belt.
Maddie Southerland came in to relieve Worthington, delivering the final out of the inning, leaving SNU with two more innings to overcome the seven-run deficit.
Unfortunately for SNU, the seven-run sting lingered and the Hillcats were able to send a three up and three down sixth inning the way of the Storm. Rogers State looked to continue their scoring spree, recording three singles in the bottom of the sixth, but were forced to settle for no runs that inning as they reached three quick outs.
Southern Nazarene was left one final frame to erase the damage. Oaks was able to single to center field and
Emma Green reached on a fielder's choice, leaving one on base with two outs. SNU was dealt one last out by a fly-out to right field, leaving the Hillcats victorious in Game 1 by a final score of 7-0.
Up Next
Per NCAA double-elimination rules, Southern Nazarene will have one final shot at remaining in the tournament as they face off with No. 6 Washburn Friday, May 10th at 1:30 PM. Washburn recently lost to Central Oklahoma in their first game of the tournament by a final score of 3-0. SNU last matched up with the Ichabods on February 11th, 2023 where they fell 6-1 in Bentonville, Arkansas.
