ALVA, Okla. – Northwestern Oklahoma State University Softball was in Weatherford, Okla. to take on the Southwestern Oklahoma State Bulldogs in the second half of the GAC Rivalry series. Coming off a series victory this past weekend over Ouachita Baptist in which they took three of four games, the Rangers (17-31, 15-21 GAC) were looking to win the season series with SWOSU after splitting a doubleheader two weeks ago.
Game 1
Northwestern capitalized on the Bulldogs spotty defense and free passes but couldn't contain Taya Haney, who knocked in all six SWOSU runs in the Rangers' 6-4 game one loss. The senior pitcher also earned the win for Southwestern despite walking six batters with three errors behind her.
Amber Mills produced two Ranger runs by drawing a bases loaded walk in the 2
nd and then wearing a pitch to the leg in the 6
th to give her two free RBI's. Mills (0-1) was hitless on the day despite reaching base three times on two walks and a hit by pitch. The Rangers best chance to do some damage came in the 2
nd when they had the bases loaded but only managed to scrape one across in the inning.
Madison Garza got the start for head coach
Jill Webb in search of her 10
th win of the year. But the recent string of success didn't help her in this one as the junior surrendered six earned runs on eight hits while walking three. The right hander kept most of the Bulldogs at bay, but just couldn't seem to figure out Haney. Haney provided all of the offense for the hosting Bulldogs when she used a pair of three run home runs to down the black-and-red by a final of 6-4.
Game 2
The Rangers broke out for 11 hits in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader, capped by a decisive blow off the bat of senior
Megan Sanders. A back-and-forth affair for the better part of the contest, game two saw nearly identical stat-lines before the Rangers were able to edge the Bulldogs 7-5.
Three Northwestern batters enjoyed a multi-hit game as Mills (2-for-4), Sanders (2-for-4, 3 RBI's) and
Brittany Corrales (2-for-4, RBI) led the offensive charge.
Both squads exchanged shots all afternoon but a three-run home run from Samantha Householder in the 5
th off of Ranger starter
Karly Murray (7-16, 5.58 ERA) erased what had been a two run advantage in favor of the black-and-red. But Northwestern answered right back yet again in the top of the 6
th when Corrales scored on the Bulldogs' 5
th error of the day that tied the ballgame at 5-5.
Sanders sent a charge into her dugout with a two-run, 7
th inning blast (her fifth of the season) that proved to be a game winning home run. Pitcher
Jalena Arthur picked up the victory after throwing two and a third innings of relief, giving up just two hits with no runs.
Up Next
Ranger Softball will continue their postseason push when they head to Arkadelphia to take on Henderson State (19-28, 13-22 GAC) in a four game series this weekend. The two teams will play a doubleheader on Friday, April 21 at 2 p.m. before wrapping the series up on Saturday, April 22 for a noon twinbill.
For the latest news and updates on Ranger Softball, follow @NWOSUAthletics on Twitter or visit www.riderangersride.com
