BETHANY, Okla. - Southern Nazarene kicked off their three-game series against Northwestern Oklahoma State at Feland Field on Friday. The Rangers came out swinging and took the first game with a 12-5 victory.

It was a slow start for both teams, as the scoreboard remained untouched through the first three innings. NWOSU(17-14, 7-11 GAC)  finally broke the silence in the fourth, putting up two runs to take the first lead of the game. SNU (8-23, 3-16 GAC) responded in the bottom of the inning when Jaxon Gless drove in Brady Benedict, making it a 2-1 game.

The Rangers added another run in the fifth inning to stretch their lead to 3-1. Southern Nazarene kept fighting in the sixth when Aiden McCullough singled up the middle and later stole second. With two runners on, Weston Hicks delivered a sac fly to bring in a run, cutting the deficit to 4-2.

NWOSU found another surge in the seventh inning,  plating three runs to extend their lead to 7-2. The Rangers weren't done yet, exploding for five more runs in the top of the eighth inning to take full control of the game with a 12-2 lead.

The Crimson Storm showed some late fight in the bottom of the eighth inning when Antonio Sabala and Benedict both singled to get on base. Chase Hudson stepped up and launched a three run home run to center field, giving the Crimson Storm a little life and closing the gap to 12-5.

The ninth inning remained quiet, and NWOSU secured the 12-5 victory to take the series opener. The Storm will look to bounce back as they continue the series against the Rangers.

Next Up
The Storm will return on Saturday, March 29, for their 12:00 pm doubleheader against Northwestern Oklahoma State University.