BETHANY, Okla. - Southern Nazarene hosted Fort Hays State Tuesday afternoon for a non-conference match up, defeating Fort Hays State 8-3 before ultimately falling 7-4 in game two.

Game 1

After a quiet start through the first two innings, the Crimson Storm (13-15, 7-5 GAC) broke through in the third. Kristen Mullendore got things started with a single, and Eden Anderson followed with a double to put runners in scoring position. Quinlyn Johnson then cleared the bases with a two-run triple before Kira Taber added an RBI double to give SNU a 3-0 lead.

Fort Hays State (13-12, 2-2 MIAA) answered in the fourth inning, plating three runs to even the score at 3-3, but the Storm wasted no time responding. In the bottom half of the inning, SNU erupted for four runs, highlighted by a three-run home run from Anderson that swung the momentum right back in favor of the home team. Later in the frame, Adyson Gaddis drove in another run to extend the lead to 7-3.

Southern Nazarene added an insurance run in the fifth inning when Mullendore delivered an RBI double to score Britlyn Tripp, pushing the advantage to 8-3.

In the circle, the Storm used a two-pitcher effort. Kinley Brand got the start before Olivia Hernandez came on in relief and shut the door, tossing 3.2 scoreless innings while striking out four to earn the win.

Offensively, SNU totaled 13 hits in the game. Anderson led the charge with a 3-for-3 performance that included a home run, double, three RBIs, and two runs scored. Johnson added two hits and two RBIs, while Mullendore also recorded multiple hits and drove in a run.

Game 2

Southern Nazarene looked to complete the sweep, but came up short in the second game of the doubleheader, falling 7-4.

The Crimson Storm answered early after the Tigers struck first in the opening inning. SNU capitalized on an error to tie the game at 1-1, but FHSU delivered the decisive blow in the third. The Tigers erupted for five runs in the inning, highlighted by a two-run I double and a three-run home run, to take a commanding 6-1 lead.

Southern Nazarene looked to chip away over the final innings. The Storm got one back in the fifth when Ciena Perez doubled to drive in Bailey Nettles, making it 6-2. SNU continued to battle in the sixth inning as Presley Brott delivered an RBI double and Adyson Gaddis followed with an RBI single to cut the deficit to 6-4 and bring the tying run to the plate.

Despite the late push, the Storm were unable to complete the comeback. Fort Hays State added an insurance run in the seventh with a solo home run, and SNU was retired in order in the bottom half of the seventh.

The Tigers held SNU to just four hits in the game. Brott and Perez each had doubles and an RBI, while Gaddis added a hit and a run driven in. Quinlyn Johnson also chipped in with a hit and scored a run.

Next Up

The Storm will travel to Arkadelphia to take on Henderson State for a weekend conference series. The two squads are set to play a single game Friday, March 20 at 6:00 pm and a doubleheader on Saturday, March 21 at noon.