BETHANY, Okla. - The Crimson Storm finished their series with the No.10 Southern Arkansas handing the Muleriders just their second loss of the season. SAU was able to respond taking game three in five innings to claim the series in Bethany.

Game 1

The Crimson Storm (6-9, 1-2 GAC) bounced back in a big way in their first game of Saturday's doubleheader, erupting for eight runs in the third inning to take down Southern Arkansas (15-2, 2-1 GAC) 9-4 at home.

Southern Nazarene tallied 12 hits in the contest and capitalized on key opportunities to secure the ranked win in front of their home crowd.

The Storm struck first in the opening frame as Kira Taber singled and Presley Brott doubled to put runners in scoring position. Kristen Mullendore followed with an RBI to plate the game's first run and give SNU a 1-0 lead.

Southern Arkansas answered in the second, using a pair of hits and Storm miscues to push across three runs and move in front 3-1.

SNU responded with a game-changing third inning. Abby Wood drew a walk and Taber delivered a double to spark the rally. Brott and Mullendore each drove in runs to tie the game before the Storm took advantage of multiple errors and timely hitting. Bailey Nettles and Britlyn Tripp each reached safely to extend the inning, and Taber capped the outburst with a two-run double down the line as Southern Nazarene plated eight runs to surge ahead 9-3.

The Muleriders added a run in the fourth, but the Storm pitching staff shut the door the rest of the way.

Taber led the offensive charge, going 3-for-4 with two doubles and two RBIs. Brott added two hits and an RBI, while Mullendore drove in two runs. Eden Anderson also finished with two hits as part of the Storm's 12-hit performance.

Bailey Sales earned the win in the circle, allowing four runs,just two earned, over 4.1 innings. Olivia Hernandez was strong in relief, tossing 2.2 scoreless innings to secure the save and seal the victory.

Game 2 

The  Crimson Storm closed out their weekend series with Southern Arkansas, falling 10-1 in five innings in the series finale.

The Muleriders struck first in the opening inning, using a walk and a two-run double to jump out to a 2-0 advantage.

The Storm answered in the second inning. Mullendore led off with a single and later came around to score when Anderson delivered an RBI double down the left field line, trimming the deficit to 2-1.

Southern Arkansas responded with two runs in the third, taking advantage of a triple and a Storm error to extend the lead to 4-1. The Muleriders continued to add separation in the fourth with back-to-back RBI singles to make it 6-1 before breaking the game open with four runs in the fifth inning.

Southern Nazarene threatened in the third when Quinlyn Johnson and Abby Wood recorded singles and advanced into scoring position, but the Storm were unable to capitalize and cut into the deficit.

Wood led the way offensively for SNU, going 2-for-3 at the plate. Anderson finished with a double and the Storm's lone RBI, while Mullendore and Johnson each added hits.

Aubree Hall made the start in the circle for Southern Nazarene. Ashley Larson and Kinley Brand provided relief appearances as the Storm worked through the Southern Arkansas lineup.

Next Up

The Crimson Storm will head to Durant to take on Southeastern Oklahoma State for a three game series starting with a single game on Friday, February 27 at 3:00 pm.