RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. - The Crimson Storm wrapped up their series against Arkansas Tech on Saturday afternoon, dropping both games of the doubleheader and falling in the series finale.
Game 1
Southern Nazarene (8-33, 1-26 GAC) battled throughout game one and held a late lead, but Arkansas Tech (25-18, 19-8 GAC) used a big ninth inning to walk it off and secure a 6-5 win.
The Storm got things going in the third inning when Dominic Garcia launched a solo home run to tie things up before Kane Springer delivered a two-run double to give SNU a 3-1 lead. Southern Nazarene added another run in the fifth on an RBI single from Josh Bay, pushing the lead to 4-1.
Arkansas Tech chipped away with a run in the fifth, but the Storm responded again in the eighth as Blake Brinkmeyer drove in a run to extend the lead to 5-2.
Starting pitcher, Garrett Payne, kept the Wonder Boys in check through 8.1 innings of work, but Arkansas Tech rallied in the bottom of the ninth with a three-run home run to tie the game before a walk-off solo shot sealed the 6-5 loss for SNU.
Springer led the way offensively with three hits and two RBIs, while Bay added two hits and an RBI. Garcia also contributed with a home run and an RBI.
Game 2
Southern Nazarene jumped out to an early lead but could not slow down Arkansas Tech's offense, falling 8-2.
The Storm struck first in the opening inning as Kane Springer drove in a run with a single, followed by an RBI groundout from James Bodine to give SNU a 2-0 lead.
Arkansas Tech answered immediately with a four-run bottom of the first and continued to build on that lead with runs in the third, fourth, and fifth innings.
Southern Nazarene had a few opportunities at the plate but was unable to push across any more runs as the Wonder Boys held them scoreless the rest of the way.
Springer, Brinkmeyer, and Garcia each recorded a hit for the Storm, with Springer and Bodine driving in the two runs.
Next Up
Southern Nazarene will look to bounce back as they travel to Enid, Oklahoma to take on Northwestern Oklahoma State for a non-conference match up on Tuesday, April 14 at 7:00 pm.