LUBBOCK, Texas – It was Opening Day across college softball and the Lady Ranger were on the road in Lubbock, Texas for the Lady Chap Invitational hosted by Lubbock Christian University. Playing six games in three days against four different opponents, it was sure to be a fun weekend for the Rangers.
The first game of the 2017 season started out with high hopes as the Rangers took on Regis University. Northwestern sent
Karly Murray to the circle, a sophomore out of Hinton, Okla., with sights set on starting the year out with a bang.
Regis struck first after an error and a wild pitch allowed an unearned run off of Murray in the top of the 2
nd, but Northwestern answered right back in the bottom half of the inning.
Madi Parrott drew a leadoff walk, then
Macy Madewell moved her over with a sac bunt.
Audrey Estes followed that up with a one out single to right to score Parrott and tie the game at 1-1.
Murray pitched herself out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of the 3
rd, but Regis would add a run in the fourth and another in the fifth.
The Ranger offense was unable to string together hits in the middle innings despite their early success. Regis came out in the 6
th inning and changed the game. The first two batters reached on singles, followed by a walk to load the bases. Taylor Armitage hit a ground ball to Parrott, who gunned Emily John out at the plate. The next batter squibbed one back to the circle and Murray managed to throw her out at the dish as well, preserving a two-run deficit.
With the bases still loaded, the next Regis batter hit a double into left, extending their lead to 5-1. Skipper
Charlie Zeilman went to the bullpen for
Jalena Arthur to try to get the final out of the inning, but Regis was just getting started. Two errors and seven hits allowed Regis to tag the Rangers for nine runs in the 6
th inning and Northwestern would drop their first game 12-1.
Game two on the day saw Northwestern square off against Colorado Christian University.
Madison Garza took to the circle in her first start of the season, looking to take down the Cougars. Errors proved to be costly all day long for the Rangers, as CCU plated two in the bottom of the first after a dropped fly ball by
Jordan Sutton and a throwing error by Garza.
The Rangers gained some momentum in the top of the 3
rd when
Audrey Estes hit a leadoff double, which
Amber Mills followed up with a two-run shot over the wall to tie the game at 2-2.
A leadoff walk for Colorado Christian in the next half inning came around to score, giving the Cougars a one run lead that would remain until late in the game.
Garza pitched herself out of a jam in the 5
th after two more errors loaded the bases, but she got out of trouble by striking out Letty Valenzuela and then getting Baylee Johnson to ground out and end the threat.
The 6
th inning proved to be a struggle for the Rangers on Opening Day, as they once again allowed a crooked number in what was a close game. The Cougars put up six runs on five hits and another error, putting the game out of reach. Northwestern dropped the second game 9-2.
Up Next
Northwestern continues their three-day tournament in Lubbock, Texas on Saturday as they take on Lubbock Christian University at 12:00 p.m. and then Regis University at 2:30 p.m.
For the latest updates on Ranger Softball, follow us on Twitter @NWOSUAthletics or visit www.riderangersride.com
