ALVA, Okla. – Northwestern Oklahoma State University starting pitcher Matt Goertzen had a quality start Saturday afternoon as Ranger pitching combined for a shutout in a 5-0 decision over Harding in Great American Conference play.
The win for Northwestern improved the Rangers record to 19-14 overall as they kick off a six-game road swing Tuesday at Rogers State.
Goertzen took the ball to start the game in the series finale against Harding. He pitched seven innings and struck out seven Harding batters for a career high with the Red-and-Black. Beau Britton and Kyle Rogers pitched the eighth and ninth innings, respectively, and shut down the Bisons offensive as they were held hitless.
It was the first time in 29 games the Rangers have shutout an opponent, last doing so back on Feb. 5 against Fort Hays State in the fourth game of the season. Northwestern pitching had previously never shutout at Harding team in a game.
The Rangers first run of the afternoon came in the first inning when Jake Darrow punched a pitch down the opposite field line into left. He moved over to third on an infield single by Carlos Andujar and scored on a Johnnuelle Ponce groundout to go up 1-0.
With two outs in the second inning, the Rangers put their second run on the board. Brock Randels win an 11-pitch battle at the plate with a walk and eventually scored on a wild pitch.
In the sixth inning, Ponce led the frame off with a single up and the middle and Bryce Donovan doubled two batters later to put runners in scoring position for the Rangers. The Harding center fielder then dropped an easy fly ball that allowed Ponce to cross the plate to extend the lead to 3-0.
Northwestern head coach Ryan Bowen welcomed a new Harding pitch to the game by calling a squeeze play with Randels at the plate. Randels and Donovan executed the play perfectly to make it 4-0. Luis Cintron then followed with his third hit of the afternoon to plate Luis Mendoza for the fifth Ranger run.
Donovan and Darrow each finished the game with two hits and a run scored.
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