EDMOND, Okla. - The Northwestern Oklahoma State University Rangers showed off their young talent in a 13-9 loss against the Colorado Christian Cougars on Friday in the season opener. It was an extra innings battle with both teams hitting the ball well despite the cold playing conditions.

Today's contest was the first of four the Rangers are set to play over the weekend at the Edmond Regional Festival II. Tomorrow's games against Oklahoma Christian and University of Colorado at Colorado Springs are next on the schedule for Ranger softball.  

Due to inclement weather conditions, the second schedule game today against University of Central Oklahoma will be moved to Sunday, with the first pitch at 3 p.m.

Today's season opener was all about the offense between both teams. The Black-and-Red were only able to notch three extra-base hits, but recorded eleven to hits throughout the eight innings played.

Seven different Rangers recorded hits, which is a big testament to the talent of the freshman class. Madison Friest, Caden Cunningham, and Kalie Johnson all had a multiple hit game.

After a good first inning on the mound by Karly Murray, the Rangers were able to score early, taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Morgan Kirk reached second on a miscued ball to the centerfielder. She was then driven in by Morgan La Neve on an RBI ground out.

During the top of the third inning the Cougars drove in their first run to tie the game at 1-1, but a couple more errors left the door open for the Rangers.

After a Kirk walk and a Johnson single, another hard-hit ground ball from La Neve sailed past the first baseman plating both runners, allowing La Neve to reach second. Friest also reached on an infield error, scoring La Neve, lengthening the Rangers lead to 4-1.
CCU continued to battle, scoring two more in the top of the fourth.

The Black-and-Red started the bottom of the fifth with another Johnson single through the left side. La Neve continued her hot streak as she sent a first pitch double to the right field fence, scoring Johnson.

The hits continued to flow as Friest got her first collegiate single, moving La Neve to third. Another freshman, Jayden Flowers, came into pinch hit and sent a double down the third base line, driving in La Neve and increasing the Ranger lead 6-3.

CCU turned the table in the top of the sixth inning taking their first lead of the game 7-6. Other than another single by Johnson, the Cougars hold their lead through the sixth.
Ariel Forsyth took to the mound at the beginning of the seventh inning and gave her team a rallying point, forcing a line-out, pop-out, and strike-out.

NWOSU offense took over in the bottom of the seventh, starting with back to back singles by Cunningham and Ashlie Green. Abby Detar drove in the tying run to knot the game 7-7 leading into extra innings.

With the extra innings rules chosen by the tournament's hosts, both teams would begin their half of the inning with a baserunner placed on second base. Unfortunately, this rule, some miscues by the Ranger defense and the momentum that UCO had started in the seventh would allow the Cougars to extend their lead 13-7.

A last minute two-run double by Friest wouldn't be enough and the Ranger's would fall to the Cougars 13-9.

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