BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Henderson State's Sydney Bonner held Southern Nazarene to just three hits on Wednesday night, but the Reddies' bats could muster just one in their own right, as the Crimson Storm won a pitcher's duel 2-1 in the opening round of the Great American Conference Tournament.
There was very little offense throughout in the postseason opener for both schools, as the two teams combined for just two hits in the first five innings and four total in the game.
The Reddies (32-24) were able to scratch a run in the second, when a walk from Madie Green, and a sac bunt from Alexia Lopez, moved Green to second with just one out. Ashleigh Erb took advantage as the next hitter for Henderson, lining a single up the middle to score her and put HSU in front 1-0.
Henderson held that lead for the next three innings, but despite Bonner's prowess, SNU finally broke through in the sixth. After a leadoff walk and sac bunt moved a runner to second base with just one out, Crimson Storm pitcher Katelyn Brown helped her own cause, by lining a double into right center. Brown's hit was the first ball that reached the outfield for SNU, but plated the run to tie the game 1-1. A strikeout brought Bonner just one out away from escaping the inning, but Caitlyn Curlee got SNU's third hit on a single into the gap in left center moments later, which scored pinch runner Cheyenne Reynolds and gave the Crimson Storm its first lead 2-1.
Trailing for the first time, the Reddies tried to answer in the seventh, when Nadia Ballarin worked a leadoff walk to give Henderson a baserunner. Ballarin was left stranded, though, as Brown got a pop out and two strikeouts to end it in the Crimson Storm's favor, 2-1.
Bonner took the loss for the Reddies despite a great outing, in which she allowed just two runs on three hits in seven full innings of work.
Erb's liner proved to be the only hit of the contest for Henderson, as the Reddies were kept quiet for the final five innings by the Crimson Storm starter, Brown, who allowed one run on just one hit and struck out 11 batters to get the win.
Henderson will now face No. 8 seed East Central tomorrow at 1 p.m. in an elimination game at Bentonville West High School.
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