BRANSON, Mo. - Southern Nazarene closed out the DII Branson Battle with strong showings against Nebraska-Kearney and Quincy. The Crimson Storm picked up a pair of dominant victories Friday, powered by strong performances from the pitching staff, which combined to throw back-to-back shutouts to wrap up tournament play.

Game 1

The Crimson Storm (5-6) leaned on timely hitting and a lights-out effort in the circle from Olivia Hernandez to secure the win over Nebraska-Kearney (5-8).

After five scoreless innings on both sides, SNU finally broke through in the top of the sixth. Bailey Nettles worked a leadoff walk before Quinlyn Johnson dropped down a bunt single to put two on with no outs. A sacrifice bunt from Abby Wood moved both runners into scoring position, setting the table for Eden Anderson, who lifted a sacrifice fly to center to plate Nettles and give the Storm a 1-0 lead.

Hernandez was in complete control from the first pitch, tossing a one-hit shutout while striking out nine. She allowed just two walks, working efficiently through seven innings. 

Southern Nazarene added valuable insurance in the seventh. Macy Stewart led off with a single before Hannah Wolfe entered as a pinch runner and advanced to second on a wild pitch. After moving to third on a groundout, Wolfe scored on Johnson's RBI single up the middle to push the lead to 2-0. Johnson then swiped second and came around to score on another RBI single from Wood, stretching the advantage to 3-0.

Johnson powered the Storm offense, finishing 3-for-4 with a triple, an RBI, and a stolen base. Wood added a hit, an RBI, and a sacrifice bunt.

Game 2

The Crimson Storm closed out the DII Branson Battle in dominant fashion Thursday afternoon, shutting out Quincy (2-5) 4-0 to wrap up tournament play on a high note.

Southern Nazarene wasted no time applying pressure in the circle and on the basepaths. The Storm broke through in the bottom of the second without recording a hit. Ciena Perez drew a walk and was replaced by pinch runner Brooke Landry, who later came around to score on a sacrifice fly from Stewart. Moments later, Natalie Gowan swiped home as part of a double steal with Johnson, extending SNU's lead to 2-0.

That early cushion was more than enough for Baylee Sales, who delivered a stellar performance in the circle. Sales tossed six scoreless innings, allowing just three hits while striking out 10. She worked out of the lone major threat in the sixth, stranding runners at second and third with a pair of strikeouts to preserve the shutout.

The Storm added insurance in the sixth inning. Marlee Warden sparked the rally with a single and a stolen base before Johnson drew a walk. Wood continued her strong day at the plate with an RBI single up the middle to score Warden and push the lead to 3-0. Aggressive baserunning once again paid off as Johnson later crossed the plate on a Quincy error, stretching the advantage to 4-0.

Wood led the way offensively, finishing 2-for-2 with an RBI and two walks, while Johnson added a double and two walks of her own. SNU made the most of five hits and eight walks, swiping seven bases.

Ashley Larson came on in the seventh to seal the victory, striking out two in a perfect frame to secure the 4-0 shutout.

Southern Nazarene's pitching staff combined for 12 strikeouts and limited Quincy to just three hits, as the Storm closed out their final game of the DII Branson Battle.

Next Up

The Crimson Storm will open Great American Conference play at Terre Webber Field on Friday, February 20, as they host No. 11 Southern Arkansas Muleriders for a single game at 3:00 p.m.