SEARCY, Ark. - The Crimson Storm opened their series at Harding with two tough games. They split with the Bison bouncing back after falling in game one.

Game 1

The Crimson Storm (25-23, 15-11 GAC) struggled to generate offense all game, managing just one hit, a single from Kristen Mullendore, and one walk against Harding (24-16, 19-7 GAC) starter Brooklyn Gobble, who went the distance.

Southern Nazarene threatened briefly in the third inning when Quinlyn Johnson drew a walk and Mullendore followed with a base hit, but Gobble escaped the jam to keep the game scoreless.

Harding broke through in the fourth inning on a solo home run to center, giving the Bisons a 1-0 lead. That margin held until the sixth, when Harding created separation with a three-run inning. A pair of hits and a timely two-run single highlighted the rally, extending the lead to 4-0.

The Crimson Storm looked for a rally, but went down in order in the seventh, sealing the shutout for the Bisons, 4-0.

Game 2

The Crimson Storm bounced back in game as they struck first in the opening inning. Mullendore drew a leadoff walk and eventually came around to score on a fielder's choice by Adyson Gaddis, giving SNU an early 1-0 advantage.

Harding answered in the third, taking advantage of a Southern Nazarene error and tying the game at 1-1 on an RBI single. Despite the unearned run, Olivia Hernandez settled in and kept the Bisons off the board the rest of the way.

The go-ahead run came in the fifth inning. Natalie Gowan sparked the rally with a pinch-hit single, and after moving into scoring position, she scored on a Harding throwing error, putting SNU back in front 2-1.

That was all the support Hernandez needed. She closed the door in the seventh, retiring the side to secure the win and salvage a split for Southern Nazarene. The right-hander delivered a complete-game effort, allowing just three hits and one unearned run while striking out five. 

Next Up

The two squads are set to play the rubber match on Monday, April 20 at 12:00 pm in Searcy.