BETHANY, Okla. - Southern Nazarene opened its series against No. 24 ranked Oklahoma Baptist with a gritty 2-1 victory Friday afternoon.

The Crimson Storm (27-23, 17-11 GAC) struck early in the bottom of the first. Eden Anderson delivered a clutch RBI double to left field to plate Quinlyn Johnson, giving SNU a 1-0 lead.

Southern Nazarene added what proved to be the game-winning run in the third. Anderson again ignited the offense with a single, and later Macy Stewart came through with an RBI single to right. An Oklahoma Baptist (36-12, 22-6 GAC) error allowed Stewart to advance and Anderson to score, extending the lead to 2-0. 

From there, it was all about Baylee Sales in the circle. Sales went the distance, allowing just four hits and one unearned run while striking out eight. She stranded 13 Oklahoma Baptist runners and kept the Bison off the scoreboard through six innings.

Oklahoma Baptist finally broke through in the seventh, capitalizing on a hit-by-pitch, a walk, and a Storm error to plate an unearned run and cut the lead to 2-1. Sales remained in control, recording the final outs to secure the win.

Southern Nazarene finished with five hits, led by Anderson's 2-for-3 performance and RBI. While Sales went the distance in the circle throwing a complete game, her eleventh of the season.

Next Up

The Crimson Storm will face the Bison Saturday, April 25 for a noon doubleheader in Bethany.