ALVA, Okla- Rangers dropped both games of the Monday non-conference doubleheader against Rogers State University. The first game finished 6-2 in favor of the Hillcats while the Rangers dropped the second game 16-9 in seven innings.
Austin Thomason started for the Rangers Monday afternoon throwing four innings allowing two runs (one earned). He struck out four while walking three in the game. Dillon Van Oosbree threw one inning allowing four runs (three earned). Blake Hoffman pitched three strong innings for the Rangers, pitched three scoreless innings before Connor Gibson finished the game.
The Red-and-Black offense was led by Daschal Johnson, who finished the game with two hits and an RBI. Jose Rubalcava added the second RBI along with a hit during Game one. Dylan Norsen drew two walks in the leadoff spot for the Rangers.
The Hillcats were led by Harvey, Soto, and Davis each with two hits. Bradshaw finished the game with 3RBIs and a run scored. Davis finished the game with two RBI along with his two hits in the afternoon.
The game started with a pitching duel as Thomason and Karalius battled through two scoreless innings. The third inning is when the scoring started after Rogers State loaded the bases Bradshaw drove in a run from drawing a walk. Johnson evened the score at one in the bottom half of the third inning with a single to left field scoring Norsen.
Rogers State wasted no time regaining the lead off of a Harvey fielder's choice gave the visitors a 2-1 lead. The fourth would end, Thomason's night after escaping further damage.
Bradshaw tacked on two more runs for Rogers State in the fifth double to left, pushing the Hillcats lead to 4-1. Rogers State would tack on a run in the fifth on a Davis single that would score Bradshaw extending their lead to 5-1.
Rangers tried to make their comeback in the seventh as Rubalcava drove in a run on a single to center field driving in Parker Base. Rogers State added a run in the ninth inning on a Davis single for his second RBI of the afternoon.
Sanchez of Rogers State would start and close the ninth out for the Hillcats win giving the Rangers their first loss of the season.
Game 2:
The Rangers jumped out early on the Hillcats knocking their starting pitcher out of the game before recording an out. After Norsen and Hamakawa reached base safely, Johnson started the scoring with a 2RBI single to centerfield. With Johnson on first, Paige wasted no time knocking him in, blasting one to straightaway centerfield to give the Rangers the 4-0 lead. Brett Erickson drove in the fifth run on a fielder's choice. After batting around in the first Norsen would hit an RBI single scoring Chase Orrock.
After two scoreless innings from Colby Carlson, Rogers State was able to start their comeback. Merriwether singled to right field driving in the first two runs for the Hillcats. Soto followed with a double to center for an RBI. Nelson completed the rally for Rogers State driving in the fourth run on a ground out. Rangers still led 6-4 after the third.
Rogers State would take their first lead of the game following a big fourth inning. With the bases loaded, Merriwether doubled down the left field line to even the game at six. Soto then drove in the leading run with a single to center. Bradshaw put the final touches on the inning with a three-run homerun to right center giving the Hillcats 10-6 lead.
Rangers tried to rally back starting in the sixth inning when Norsen and Hamakawa started the inning off by getting on base Johnson hit a three-run homerun to left field to cut the Ranger deficit in half at 12-9.
In their final at-bat, Rogers State would put the game out of reach adding four more runs. With the bases loaded, Nelson drew a walk. Bradshaw followed with a single before the final blow of a Davis triple down the right field line to clear the bases pushing the game to 16-9.
Rangers would be retired in order in the seventh inning after Sanchez came in and closed out the game.
The Rangers fall to 1-2 on the season after their opening weekend at home. Ranger baseball will return to action on Friday afternoon with a weekend series. Northwestern will play three to open conference play against Arkansas Monticello in Arkansas.
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