Balanced Attack Fuels Roughrider's 4–1 Week Against Connors State and Missouri State–West Plains

Roughrider baseball enjoyed a productive stretch from March 24–28, combining explosive offense with dominant pitching in matchups against Connors State College and Missouri State University–West Plains. The Roughriders went 4–1 over five games, scoring 48 runs and recording two shutouts.

March 24, 2026

Crowder College 13, Connors State College 3

After a scoreless opening inning, Crowder seized control with a six‑run third and never looked back. Brady Nolen and Lawson Ward both homered and collected three RBIs, while Ryan Stalony and Camren Stratton added two RBIs each. Crowder finished with 14 hits and multiple stolen bases.

On the mound, Micah Henson earned the win, allowing just two hits and striking out five over three scoreless innings. Whaetly Chaloupek was perfect in relief, retiring all eight batters he faced to close out the win.

March 26, 2026 – Game 1

Missouri State–West Plains 9, Crowder College 6

Crowder answered an early MSUWP lead with a five‑run fourth inning, highlighted by a two‑run homer from Brady Nolen and a bases‑clearing pinch‑hit home run from Carson Arnold. Despite the offensive outburst, West Plains reclaimed the lead with a five‑run sixth inning.

Nolen finished 2‑for‑4 with two RBIs, while Arnold’s three‑run blast accounted for half of Crowder’s scoring. The Roughriders tallied 11 hits but were unable to slow MSUWP late.

March 26, 2026 – Game 2

Crowder College 17, Missouri State–West Plains 0 (5 innings)

Crowder bounced back in emphatic fashion, scoring five runs in the first and fourth innings to end the game early. William Beaudoin delivered the biggest blow, driving in five runs on a pair of doubles. Camren Stratton went a perfect 3‑for‑3, scoring four times, while Lawson Ward added three RBIs and a triple.

On the mound, Seth Carlson was dominant, throwing a complete‑game shutout with nine strikeouts and only three hits allowed.

March 28, 2026 – Game 1

Crowder College 6, Missouri State–West Plains 5

Crowder overcame early defensive miscues and a 5–1 deficit with a four‑run fifth inning. Brady Nolen continued his strong week with a two‑run homer and three RBIs total, while Ryan Stalony doubled home two runs.

Conner Brown earned the win in relief, tossing three scoreless innings and allowing no hits as Crowder completed the comeback.

March 28, 2026 – Game 2

Crowder College 8, Missouri State–West Plains 0

The series closed with another dominant pitching performance. Micah Henson struck out 11 over six shutout innings, setting the tone for Crowder’s second shutout of the week.

Offensively, Crowder demonstrated patience and power, drawing seven walks and totaling 11 hits. Brady Nolen and Lawson Ward homered, while Ryan Stalony and Karson Durnin chipped in key RBIs to secure the win.

Week in Review

Crowder’s success was fueled by consistent production from the heart of the lineup—particularly Nolen, Ward, Stratton, and Stalony—and a pitching staff that recorded two shutouts and 38 strikeouts across the stretch. The Roughriders’ ability to respond after losses and close games late underscored a week defined by balance, power, and resilience.