TIGERS SHOW FIGHT IN 2-2 OPENING WEEKEND
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Central Methodist (MO) | 0 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 9 | 17 | 12 | 1 |
|
Olivet Nazarene (IL) | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 2 |
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Olivet Nazarene (IL) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
|
Evangel (MO) | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | X | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| Final (8) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
William Woods (MO) | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 8 | 2 |
|
Olivet Nazarene (IL) | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 10 | 18 | 4 |
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Olivet Nazarene (IL) | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 14 | 0 |
|
Graceland | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
Branson, Mo. - The Tigers' opened their 2026 season with four games in Branson, Missouri, finishing the weekend 2–2 and showing strong offensive potential along the way. The Tigers started fast against Central Methodist when RayElle Brennan homered in the first inning, but CMU answered with a major surge in the middle innings and pulled away despite RBI hits from Stephanie Hause and Brooklyn Haffey.
ONU continued to battle in its second game but fell 6–0 to Evangel. Brennan recorded two hits, including a double, and the Tigers were active on the bases, but Evangel's three‑run third inning and late insurance runs created too much separation.
The Tigers responded with one of the most dramatic wins of the weekend, a 10–9 extra‑inning comeback over William Woods. Gaetana Calo opened the scoring with a two‑run homer, and after ONU fell behind 9–3, the Tigers erupted for six runs in the seventh to tie the game. Calo then delivered the walk‑off hit in the eighth to complete the rally. ONU finished with 18 hits, led by four from Victoria Strines and three each from Calo, RyLyn Adams, and Meegan Randall.
ONU closed the weekend with a dominant 9–1 win over Graceland. The Tigers scored in five of six innings, with Calo driving in two early runs and the offense continuing to apply pressure throughout. Strong pitching from Olivia Saldana and Jiselle Hernandez combined for 14 strikeouts while allowing only three hits. Strines added two RBI, and Randall posted a three‑hit performance as ONU secured its second straight victory.
The Tigers leave the weekend with momentum, highlighted by a powerful offensive showing, a dramatic comeback win, and a convincing finish to the trip.
–ONU–