LUBBOCK, Texas -
Game 1
The Rangers got off to a great start in the top of the first when
Brittany Corrales hit a solo shot, giving some early life to the Northwestern dugout. But the lead was short-lived as Lubbock Christian answered right back by hanging five on the board against a struggling
Jalena Arthur. Four singles and two walks to the games first six batters forced
Charlie Zeilman to go to his bullpen early as he brought in
Karly Murray who got out of the inning.
Jordan Sutton led off the 2nd with a double to the left field wall and
Macy Madewell drove her in with a single up the middle to chip away at the LCU lead.
But once again, the Lady Chaps ran into success with the bats. Plating six more runs in the bottom of the 2nd, Lubbock Christian would extend their lead to a commanding 11-2 advantage. Tacking on four more, Lubbock Christian would take this one 15-2 in five innings.
Game 2
Madison Garza toed the rubber in the second game of the day against Regis University (Colo.), looking to lead the Rangers to their first win of the 2017 campaign.
The Rangers got off to a hot start against Regis starter Logan Losh, who gave up three runs in the 2nd inning.
Madison McGraw led off the inning with a single to left field, but was thrown out after rounding too far off the bag.
Jordan Sutton then hit a single up the middle which
Audrey Estes followed up with a walk, setting the stage for
Macy Madewell. The junior outfielder from Paris, Texas took the 2-1 offering from Losh deep over the wall in center, giving the Rangers an early 3-0 lead.
Regis had an answer in the next half inning, where they put up a 3-spot of their own on three hits.
Northwestern would add another in the 4th after a leadoff triple by McGraw was cashed in by a sacrifice fly from Estes to put the Lady Rangers up 4-3. But the black and red struggled all day to shut down the opponent after scoring, and that's exactly what happened in the 4th. Garza surrender two more runs on three hits in the bottom of the 4th, allowing Regis to regain the lead.
McGraw would tally her third hit on the evening when she rocked a missile over the left field wall to tie the game at 5-5.
The Ranger offense scraped across an unearned run in the top of the 7th to take the lead after a throwing error by the shortstop scored pinch runner
Alexus Bailey, giving
Karly Murray the chance at closing out the game.
But Regis wouldn't go down easy. Loading the bases with a single, a fielder's choice and a walk, Regis was down to their final out. Murray hit the next batter with a 1-2 pitch allowing the tying run in the bottom of the 7th, forcing extra innings.
Northwestern was held off the board in the 8th, but Regis would not be denied. Starting with a runner on second, Regis drove in the winning run with a single, handing Zeilmans Rangers their fourth loss to open the season.
Up Next
The Rangers return to the field in Lubbock on Sunday, Feb. 5 as they wrap up play in the Lady Chap Invitational against host Lubbock Christian University 1 p.m. and then Colorado Christian University at 3 p.m.
For the latest updates on Ranger Softball, follow @NWOSUAthletics on Twitter or visit www.riderangersride.com
