SHAWNEE, Okla. - Today's doubleheader marks the first Great American Conference series for the Northwestern Oklahoma State University Rangers against Oklahoma Baptist University. The normal four game series was pushed back for today and tomorrow due to inclement weather that had covered most of the state of Oklahoma.

The Rangers were able to take home their first win of the season while also splitting the two games with OBU in a tough match-up. OBU was preseason ranked in the eighth spot on the GAC standings, only one higher than the Ranger's own ranking.

Hits were hard to come by in both games today as the Rangers only recorded 12 throughout both games of play. Abby Detar was on fire going 4-for-5 at the plate and was the only Ranger who recorded multiple hits in both games.

Game 1

The first inning of the day started out hot for the Rangers as they came charging in with two runs right away. Senior Morgan Kirk led off the game with walk that got the rally going followed by a sharp single through the center of the field by freshman Kalie Johnson. Morgan La Neve moved them into scoring position with a hard ground out to second base, Madison Friest plated Kirk and Johnson with a deep RBI double to give the Rangers an early 2-0 lead.

Starting in the circle for the Rangers, Allison Wells made quick work of OBU in the bottom of the first and with combined effort from the defense continued to hold OBU until the bottom of the fourth inning. The Rangers would to threaten again in the next inning but would not be able to plate any runners.

OBU had a break through in the bottom of the fourth with a solo homerun but would not be able to score anymore runs during that inning. Again, the Rangers threatened to score in the top of the fifth inning with two runners on but would be held to their one run lead 2-1.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, a few miscues by the Rangers defense allows the tying run to cross the plate making it 2-2.

The Rangers answered in the top of the seventh. Pinch hitter Jada Overby reached on an error by the first baseman and is then pinch ran for by Shelbie Roberson. Roberson's speed cane into play as she stole second base to get into scoring position. Detar stepped in and sent an RBI double to left field to score the speedy Roberson and give the Rangers a 3-2 lead.

Morgan Kirk added an RBI single of her own through the infield to drive Detar home.

The Black-and-Red ended the inning with a 4-2 lead over OBU. A one, two, three inning by Wells and the Defense give the Rangers their first win of the season.

Game 2

The second game was a pitcher's duel, with Karly Murray taking the circle for the Rangers. There were only five hits the game for the Lady Rangers making each run count.

Both teams battled throughout the game to keep the score locked at 0-0 for six full innings. The Rangers loaded the bases up in the top of the third inning. Detar started the inning off with a single through the infield. Two walks loaded the bases, but the Rangers were unable to send anyone home.

Neither team scored until the seventh inning.

The momentum seemed to change in the top of the seventh inning. Detar with the hot bat caused an error by the OBU shortstop and get on base. Johnson is then hit with a pitch to push Detar to second. Another error allowed La Neve to reach and Detar to score.

Friest continued the rally with an RBI double to the fence to score Johnson on the play and give the Rangers a 2-0 lead.

Unfortunately, OBU would rally back scoring three runs on three hits in the bottom of the seventh to take the game with the 3-2 final.

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