EDMOND, Okla. - The Rangers were set to take on the Bronchos for the second time this season in Edmond as they were seeking revenge after dropping the last meeting 16-3 Central Oklahoma would end up rallying behind a scoreless start from Nick Vickers to get the shutout victory 5-0.
The Red-and-Black were held to just three hits in the evening. Two of the three being extra-base hits with doubles from Daschal Johnson and Marques Paige. The third and final hit came from second basemen Brett Erickson with a single in the 5th.
AJ Shaw received the start Tuesday evening going two innings surrendering two runs on four hits. Brody Shook came in relief with two scoreless innings. Beau Britton, Jeremy Sawyer, and Koby Spicer also came in and pitched a scoreless outing this evening.
Central Oklahoma wasted no time getting on the board, with a leadoff walk, a single, two stolen bases. This would lead up to an eventual sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 1st giving the Bronchos the early 1-0 lead.
After holding the Rangers scoreless in the top half the Bronchos extended their lead. With the bases loaded Zimmerman singled to right field extending their lead to 2-0. Central Oklahoma would further extend their lead scoring on a wild pitch. UCO held a 3-0 lead after two innings.
The top half of the 5th was the Rangers chance to score after a Paige double with one out, Erickson came to the plate and hit a single. With Paige going home on the single he was thrown out at the plate, Erickson was thrown out stealing to end the inning a few pitches later.
The game would stay 3-0 for the next two innings until the Bronchos would use that momentum from throwing Paige out at the plate to jump on the board in the bottom half of the 5th when Bertus of UCO would hit a triple to right-center field picking up the RBI.
With the score 4-0 in favor of Central Oklahoma Scott singled to left-center field to give the Bronchos a 5-0 lead in the bottom of the sixth.
The Bronchos bullpen would take over from that point on to throw 4.1 scoreless innings to complete the 5-0 shutout victory.
The Rangers' loss drops them to 5-7 on the season. Northwestern will be back in action Friday to resume conference play against Oklahoma Baptist as both teams will enter play 3-0 in conference play. The first game of the series will start at 6 PM on Friday evening.
