ALVA, Okla. – The Northwestern Oklahoma State University Rangers took two tough loses during final doubleheader in the series against Henderson State University Saturday afternoon. Although the Black-and-Red continue to put runners on, getting them around to score was harder than it seemed.
Ranger softball had multiple players earned two or more hits at the plate with the two starting seniors showing up for the Black-and-Red.
Ashlie Green had a day going 3-for-5, with an RBI, and one hit by pitch
Morgan Kirk was not far behind adding to her weekend with a huge two RBI hit, going 1-for-4 at the plate.
Freshmen
Kalie Johnson and
Morgan La Neve also had days getting three and four hits respectively. Kat Wells,
Lindsey McElroy,
Abby Detar, and
Bailee Whitener all had one hit each.
Game 1
The Rangers continued to show some life in their offensive approach to the plate, showing that they have much more to offer than the stats show! The Black-and-Red came together for ten total hits throughout the game.
The first inning started with the Reddies coming out to play. Unfortunately, errors would be a repeating factor for the Rangers, with one run from a missed played ball on a steal. HSU would add another run in the bottom of the first to give them a two-run lead.
The Rangers would answer back in the top of the third. Green got the inning started with a hard ground ball through the left side. K. Wells then reached on a fielder's choice as the Reddies' defense opted for the out at second. Whitener recorded her first hit of her career with a line drive to right center field, followed by a walk to McElroy to load the bases.
Kirk's move to the second lead-off spot, or the nine hole, has been nothing but beneficial to the Rangers' lineup. She sent a shot into right field scoring both K. Wells and Whitener to tie it up 2-2.
In the bottom of the third inning Henderson State added to their lead with a bases loaded double to drive in two more runs and gain back the lead 4-2.
Northwestern continued to get runners into scoring position in both the fourth and fifth innings but couldn't score any runs.
The bottom of the fifth inning the Rangers were able to get out of the inning fairly unscathed. The bases were loaded on two different occasions and the Reddies were only able to score one run on three different attempts.
The Rangers put up a fight in the top of the seventh inning. Johnson started the rally with a single through the left side, followed by Friest reaching on a fielder's choice as the defense took the easier out at second. La Neve followed with a single of her own, to move Friest into scoring position. The speedy
Shelbie Roberson would come in to pinch run for Friest, while
Alexus Bailey would pinch run for La Neve.
Green continued to show her ability to hit in dire situations sending her second hit of the game through the left side of the infield. Roberson scored all the way from second, flashing her speed and scratching into Henderson State's lead.
Alli Willis would come in to run for Green but would not be able to score as the Reddies finish the inning taking the game 5-3.
Game 2
The Rangers had a few miscues that seemed to really give the Reddies the advantage during the second game of their doubleheader.
The first inning started with Henderson State pulling a double steal in a first in third situation scoring a run, followed by an errant throw allowing another run to cross the plate giving the Reddies a 2-0 lead.
The Rangers threatened in the third inning with back-to-back walks and a passed ball, placing Detar and Johnson on second and third, but were unable to score. But they continued to work hard on defense to keep the Reddies from adding to their lead through the third inning.
Henderson took advantage of some more errors in the bottom of the fourth inning when a ball was thrown into the outfield allowing another runner to score, giving HSU a 3-0 lead.
The Black-and-Red continued to battle through the fifth inning getting a few runners on with Detar and Johnson both getting singles but were again unable to score.
The fifth inning was when Henderson's bats really came alive scoring five runs on four hits, including a triple, three singles, and two stolen bases. The Reddies closed out the inning with a walk-off single, putting the run rule into effect and taking the game, 8-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Northwestern Softball will play their next doubleheader against non-conference Cameron University in Lawton, Oklahoma at 4 p.m. on Monday afternoon.
For the latest news and updates on NWOSU Softball, follow @NWOSUAthletics on TWITTER or visit www.riderangersride.com.
