SHAWNEE – Riding a seven-game winning streak, #23 Oklahoma Baptist will make the short trip to Bethany on Tuesday to conclude its regular-season series with Southern Nazarene at 3 p.m.
Fans will be able to watch the contest on SNUAthletics.com.
In March, OBU swept the Crimson Storm at home by scores of 4-2 and 3-1, extending its all-time tally against SNU to 59-24. With another win tomorrow, the Bison will attain 19 conference victories and take sole possession of the top spot in the GAC standings.
OBU swept Southwestern Oklahoma State at home last week to push its season record to 33-9. The tally ties the program's Division II record for wins in a season, obtained in 2022. Additionally, one more conference victory will match the Bison DII record for league wins, also earned a season ago.
The Bison outscored SWOSU 20-2 on the power of 25 hits, a .347 batting average, and 19 RBIs. Defensively, the Bison committed just one error, while the pitching staff posted a combined ERA of 0.37.
Senior Kayleigh Jones led the rotation with near-flawless work in two appearances. She earned two wins and struck out nine without surrendering a run in 11.0 innings of action. With Jones in the circle, the Bulldogs batted .057 and managed one hit in 22 at-bats.
For her outstanding performances, Jones was named the GAC Pitcher of the Week on Monday. Jones has earned the letague's weekly five times this season and eight times in her career on Bison Hill.
Aspen Younce recorded her seventh win of the season in game two, punching out five batters while surrendering a run in 4.0 innings. This season, she pairs 79 strikeouts with the GAC's fifth-best ERA of 2.44.
At the plate, Morgan Max hit .500 while batting in five runs on two home runs. Max slugged 1.375 and totaled 11 bags en route to an on-base percentage of .500. Additionally, she stepped into the circle to close out game two against the Bulldogs, producing four strikeouts without giving up an earned run.
This season, she ranks second on the team in doubles (9) and is tied for the second-most home runs (4). Furthermore, she holds a 2.42 ERA in nine appearances, highlighted by 27 strikeouts.
SCOUTING THE CRIMSON STORM
Southern Nazarene brings in a 20-21 overall record with a 9-13 mark in GAC play. SNU comes off a series loss at Southeastern last week, dropping the first two games of the series before winning the finale.
The Crimson Storm pair the fifth-best batting average in the GAC (.289) with the league's third-most hits (323).
At the plate, sophomore catcher Liana Heshiki boasts the second-best batting average in the conference (.411). She adds the second-most doubles (16) and hits (51). Sophomore slugger Hailey Evans is hitting .328 and is tied for the most home runs in the GAC (10).
In the circle, Olivia Hernandez has earned a 7-5 record in 80.1 innings of action. Hernandez maintains a 3.49 ERA and leads the rotation in strikeouts (106).
Meanwhile, Katelyn Woodard, Maddie Southerland, and Janie Worthington have each twirled more than 50.0 innings. Woodard holds the best ERA (3.42), while Worthington has the trio's most punchouts (49).
