DURANT, Okla. - Southern Nazarene drops the final two games of their series with the Savage Storm Saturday afternoon in Durant. Southeastern came out on top in two close contests utilizing a walk off win in game one.
Game 1
The Crimson Storm (7-11, 2-4 GAC) were locked in a pitcher's duel in game two of the series, but a late break went against Southern Nazarene as Southeastern Oklahoma State (9-11, 4-2 GAC) walked off with a 1-0 victory in the opening game of the doubleheader.
The two squads battled through eight scoreless innings before the Savage Storm pushed across a run in the bottom of the ninth to claim the win.
It was a dominant day in the circle for SNU's Baylee Sales, who turned in one of her strongest outings of the season. The right-hander went 8.1 innings, allowing just six hits and no earned runs while striking out four. Sales worked out of multiple jams, stranding runners in scoring position in the third and sixth innings to keep the game scoreless.
Southeastern's lone run came in the bottom of the ninth. After a leadoff walk and a bunt single put two aboard, the Savage Storm capitalized on a Storm error that allowed the winning run to cross the plate.
Game 2
SNU dropped the series finale to Southeastern after the Savage Storm struck early and added a key insurance run midway through the contest.
SE wasted no time getting on the board, stringing together four hits in the bottom of the first inning. A two-run single gave the home team a quick 2-0 advantage before SNU could record the final out of the frame.
Southern Nazarene threatened in the second inning as Presley Brott singled and Natalie Gowan roped a double to right field, putting two runners in scoring position. However, the Storm were unable to capitalize and left both stranded.
SNU broke through in the fifth as Brott reached on a single. Gowan laid down a sacrifice bunt to move pinch runner Hannah Wolfe to third, and an RBI from Kristen Mullendore plated Wolfe to cut the deficit to 2-1.
The Savage Storm answered in the bottom half of the inning. After a leadoff double, Southeastern added an RBI single to push the lead back to two at 3-1.
Olivia Hernandez went the distance in the circle for the Storm, tossing six innings while allowing three earned runs on eight hits and striking out five.
Southern Nazarene had chances late. In the sixth, Eden Anderson was hit by a pitch and Macy Stewart followed with a single to put two aboard, but Southeastern escaped the jam. The Storm also put a runner on in the seventh after a pinch-hit single from Kira Taber, yet the rally fell short.
Brott led the way offensively with two hits, while Gowan added a double as part of SNU's six-hit effort.Â
Next Up
The Crimson Storm will head to Tahlequah for a non-conference doubleheader on Tuesday, March 3 at 3:00 pm.
