ALVA, Okla. – Northwestern Oklahoma State hosted conference foe, Southern Arkansas for a three-game series and started off with a tough one-run loss, 8-7.

Sean Rydell would earn the series opening start for the Rangers and went four innings where he was responsible for five runs for the visitors, four of which were earned.

Three Ranger batters had solid days at the plate, led by senior Jacob Long who was fantastic at the dish, going 3-for-5 with a homerun. Arturo Castro and Colton Krokroskia were the other two hitters to collect multiple hits, as they were 2-for-4 and 2-for-2 respectively.

Rydell started off with a zero on the scoreboard in the top of the first, but it didn't take long for the Muleriders to get on the board as the third inning proved to be a big one, scoring three runs on two hits and a walk. The runs made it a 3-0 game, following an empty opening frame for the hosts.

Northwestern would bounce back in the bottom of three however, as they started the inning off with a hit-by-pitch where Kane would gain first base. Carrington then brought him around on a triple down the right field line, making it a two-run ballgame. In the very next at bat, Long claimed his second knock of the game, bringing Carrington home. Northwestern would gain another hit in the inning, but that would be the end of the scoring in the inning.

All it took for the Muleriders however was one inning before getting back on the board, as they plated one run on a sacrifice fly to centerfield. That would be the only run to cross, ending the top of the fourth 4-2, visitors.

The battle would continue in the following at bat for the hosts as they would plate another, this time on reliever Brandon Nesseralla, making it a two-run game again.

Northwestern continued the run support for the Ranger pitching staff in the bottom half of the fifth, where they gained the first lead of the ballgame, 6-5 and knocked out the starting pitcher in the process.

SAU didn't stay down for long as they put another run on the board for the third straight at bat, making it a tie game at six apiece, but the home team would again shut the visitors down to just a single run.

The top of the eighth inning looked to be a big inning for the Muleriders, putting the leadoff man aboard, but David Sanchez came on in relief for Nesseralla and was able to record two quick outs to get out of the jam. The score remained 6-6.

Following two straight open frames, Southern Arkansas tacked on two runs in the top of the ninth, taking the lead 8-6.

Northwestern would gain a huge homer off the bat of Long to make it an 8-7 game, but that would be the end of the scoring for the home club, finishing up the game in one-run fashion.

UP NEXT

Northwestern and SAU will conclude the series tomorrow afternoon, where the Rangers will look to protect home field and take the doubleheader. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.