April 24, 2008

NORMAN, Okla. --- The Southern Nazarene (Okla.) Crimson Storm baseball team upset NCAA Division I opponent, the University of Oklahoma, on Wednesday (April 23) afternoon in Norman, downing the Sooners, 8-4.  The win improves SNU's record to 32-20 on the season and is the first time since the re-institution of the baseball program in 1997 that SNU has knocked off a Division I opponent.

OU, who had run-ruled SNU last Wednesday in their first meeting of the year, jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. SNU quickly answered with the tying run in the top of the second.  SNU loaded the bases to start the inning thanks to back-to-back singles from Brent Hardin and Sam Mercado and a walk from D.J. Hair.  Matt Floyd then tied the game on an RBI single, scoring Hardin, tying the game at 1-1.

In the fifth, SNU took the lead for good, scoring three runs.  With two outs, Stevie Lewis singled and Chris Hardin followed with a single, putting two runners on for the Storm.  Brent Hardin cleared the bases with a three-run homer over the left field wall, putting SNU up 4-1. The homer was Hardin's 11th of the year.

In the seventh, SNU continued to build its lead.  Jared Elmore started the inning with a triple and scored later on a sacrifice fly from Stevie Lewis, putting SNU up 5-1.  Chris Hardin added a walk and Brent Hardin followed and delivered again, slamming a two-run shot this time over the right field wall, giving SNU the 7-1 advantage.  The homer was Hardin's second of the day and 12th of the year.

In the eighth, SNU added another run.  Cody White singled with two outs and Jared Elmore followed with a double, scoring White, giving SNU an 8-1 lead.

The Sooners attempted to rally, scoring a run in the bottom half of the eighth and two in the ninth, but OU fell short as SNU held on for the 8-4 win.

On the mound, SNU's Brandon Stone (2-1) picked up the win in relief.

Stone struck out one in five innings of work, allowing one earned run on five hits.  Josh Cephas got the start but registered no decision, throwing two innings, allowing two hits with one earned run.  Nick Patterson closed out the game, throwing two innings and allowing three hits with two earned runs. 

Southern Nazarene will be in action again on Thursday afternoon at home, hosting 4th-ranked Oklahoma City at the Cypert Complex.