SHAWNEE, Okla. – The Northwestern Oklahoma State Ranger Softball team was in Shawnee for the series finale with Oklahoma Baptist at Lady Bison Park. The Rangers rode timely hitting and excellent pitching to a 6-1 win in game one, but was unable to handle the Bison (13-19, 5-17 GAC) in a closely contested 3-2 loss in the second game.
Game 1
Madison Garza pitched yet another gem in the first game as she held the Oklahoma Baptist batters to just one earned run en-route to her sixth win. Cruising through the first three innings with ease, Garza gave her squad a chance to take a lead early and they did just that.
With
Macy Madewell hitting a one-out double in the 2
nd, the stage was set for senior
Megan Sanders to make an impact on the ballgame. The Weatherford, Okla. native clobbered a Haylee Zimmerman offering
the other way for her fourth home run of the season, and her second in as many days. The Rangers increased their lead to five in the next inning on four singles from
Amber Mills,
Madi Parrott,
Madison McGraw and
Audrey Estes with a sac-bunt by
Brittany Corrales mixed in.
The two-run blast from Sanders proved to be all that Garza would need, as the right hander continued to mow down Bison until the 6
th when a single to left by Shelby Savage came around to score the only OBU run. Garza finished the game with 11 strikeouts, giving up only three hits and two walks in the 6-1 victory.
The Rangers would add another run in the top of the 6
th after a wild pitch by Oklahoma Baptist reliever Bailee Saye scored pinch runner
Katie Bell. Two Rangers had multi-hit games as Parrott and Estes would both go 2-for-4.
Game 2
Looking for a victory in the series finale, head Coach
Jill Webb penciled in
Karly Murray to make her 17
th start this season. Murray would get some fast help on the offensive side of the ball when a McGraw two-bagger to right center scored Corrales in the top of the 1
st.
But the Bison got to Murray in the 3
rd as she gave up two hits, a walk and hit a batter leading to a two-spot for the home team. After striking out the leadoff hitter, Murray walked Rachel Birchfield before giving up a single to Jill Shipman. With the bases loaded, OBU's Miranda Garza smacked one in the left center gap for a two-RBI double that gave the Bison a 2-1 advantage.
Northwestern managed to answer back in the 5
th when Corrales drove in her ninth run of the season, cashing in
Alexis Hayes to tie the game up at two apiece. However Bison freshman Cheyenne Demaree had other ideas. The OBU catcher cranked a solo shot over the centerfield wall, giving Oklahoma Baptist a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the 6
th.
Despite getting a two-out double from
Megan Sanders in the top of the 7
th, the Rangers dropped game two 3-2 leading to a series split with the Bison. Sanders had a fantastic weekend at the dish, going 5-for-12 with four RBI's including two home runs and a double in the four game set.
Murray threw well in the loss, allowing three earned runs on four hits with two walks, striking out six in her six innings of work.
Up Next
The Rangers are scheduled to host rival Southwestern Oklahoma State in a midweek doubleheader on Tuesday, April 4 at the Alva Rec Complex. Game one is slated for a 3 p.m. start as Northwestern looks to control the first half of the home-and-home GAC Rivalry series.
For the latest news and updates on Ranger Softball, follow @NWOSUAthletics on Twitter or visit www.riderangersride.com
