ADA, Okla. - The Crimson Storm opened their conference series with East Central with a Thursday evening doubleheader. Southern Nazarene claimed the sweep with victories of 11-1 and 8-0 to clinch the series victory.
Game 1Â
The Crimson Storm (21-19, 12-8 GAC) wasted no time setting the tone, plating two runs in the top of the first inning. A leadoff single from Kristen Mullendore sparked the early rally, and Eden Anderson delivered an RBI single to give SNU the quick advantage. The Tigers (11-27, 5-15 GAC) looked for a response, but struggled to get any offense going.
Southern Nazarene continued to apply pressure in the second, capitalizing on timely hitting and an ECU error to extend the lead to 4-0. The Storm added another run in the fourth when Mullendore launched a solo home run to left center, pushing the margin to 5-0.
East Central managed its lone run in the bottom of the fourth on a solo homer, but that would be all the offense the Tigers could generate against Baylee Sales and the SNU pitching staff.
The Storm offense stayed aggressive, with Presley Brott adding a solo home run in the fifth to make it 6-1. Southern Nazarene then broke the game wide open in the seventh, erupting for five runs on five hits. Mullendore highlighted the inning with a two-run single, while Adyson Gaddis and Kira Taber each drove in runs with extra-base hits.
Sales was sharp in the circle, tossing six innings while allowing just one run on two hits and striking out 10. Ashley Larson came on in relief to close out the game, allowing just one hit over the final inning.
Mullendore led the way offensively with a stellar 4-for-5 performance, scoring four times and driving in three runs. Brott added two home runs and two RBIs, while Taber collected three hits and two RBIs of her own as part of SNU's 15-hit attack.
Game 2
The Crimson Storm came out aggressive once again, striking for three runs in the opening frame. Mullendore set the tone at the top of the order, and SNU capitalized on an ECU error as Brott delivered an RBI single to help plate all three runs and give the Storm early control.
Southern Nazarene added to its lead in the second, taking advantage of a passed ball to make it 4-0, before extending the margin to 5-0 in the third on an RBI single from Bailey Nettles.
Starting pitcher Olivia Hernandez was in full command in the circle as the Storm continued to build their lead late. Eden Anderson launched a solo home run in the sixth inning, and SNU tacked on two more in the seventh as Nettles and Mullendore each went yard to push the lead to 8-0.
Hernandez was outstanding, tossing a complete-game shutout. She allowed just three hits while striking out six and working around four walks to keep the Tigers off the scoreboard.
Mullendore led the offense with two hits, including a home run, while scoring twice and driving in a run. Nettles added a strong performance with two hits and two RBIs, highlighted by her seventh-inning homer. Anderson also chipped in with two hits and a home run, as the Storm tallied 11 hits in the win.
Next Up
The Crimson Storm will go for the series sweep on Friday, April 3 as they will take on the Tigers for a single game at 1 pm.
