BRANSON, Mo. - The Crimson Storm hit the road for the DII Branson Battle, squaring off against Missouri Western and Pittsburg State on opening day. SNU dropped its first contest to the Griffons before ultimately falling to the Gorillas in a hard-fought battle to close out the day.

Game 1 

The Crimson Storm (3-6) met the Griffons (10-2) in their opening game of the DII Branson Battle but came up short as Missouri Western secured a 9-5 victory.

MWSU struck first in the top of the second with a two-run single to take an early 2-0 lead. Southern Nazarene answered in the bottom half of the inning when Kira Taber launched a solo home run, cutting the deficit to 2-1 and giving the Storm early momentum.

The Griffons added to their advantage in the fourth with an RBI single to push the score to 3-1. SNU continued to battle and began to chip away in the fifth. Macy Stewart delivered a single to right field that brought the Storm within one at 3-2.

Southern Nazarene kept the rally alive later in the inning as Presley Brott roped a two-run double, giving the Storm their first lead of the day at 4-3 and energizing the dugout.

Missouri Western responded quickly in the top of the sixth, swinging the momentum back in their favor with a grand slam to reclaim the lead at 7-4. The Griffons capitalized on an SNU error later in the inning to plate two more runs and extend their lead to 9-4.

The Storm managed to add one more run in the bottom of the sixth on a wild pitch, but Southern Nazarene was unable to complete the comeback in the seventh, falling 9-5 in their tournament opener.

Game 2

Southern Nazarene battled unbeaten Pittsburg State in a tight contest to finish day one at the DII Branson Battle, ultimately falling 3–2 in a hard-fought matchup.

The Crimson Storm found themselves in an early hole after the Gorillas (11-0) struck in the bottom of the first. A two-out home run to right field plated two runs to give Pittsburg State the advantage.

SNU's defense settled in behind starting pitcher Ashley Larson, who delivered a strong complete-game effort in the circle. Larson worked all six innings, allowing just three runs on six hits while striking out three to keep the Storm within striking distance.

After being limited to just one hit through the first four innings, Southern Nazarene broke through in the top of the fifth. Ciena Perez drew a walk to spark the inning, and pinch runner Hannah Wolfe came around to score when Kira Taber launched a two-run home run to center field. Taber's bomb evened the score at 2-2 and gave the Storm new life.

The tie was short-lived, however, as Pittsburg State responded in the bottom half of the inning. A bunt single and stolen base set up an RBI double that pushed the Gorillas back in front, 3-2.

SNU continued to fight down the stretch. Presley Brott singled in the sixth to give the Storm a baserunner, and in the seventh, Kristen Mullendore delivered a single to left to bring the tying run aboard. Mullendore advanced into scoring position on a passed ball, but Pittsburg State recorded back-to-back strikeouts to close the door.
 

Next Up

The Crimson Storm will return to action on Friday, February 13 at 9:30 am to take on Nebraska-Kearney before they meet Quincy in their final game at noon.