ALVA, Okla. – Northwestern Oklahoma State dropped game one of Friday's doubleheader in five innings to Ouachita Baptist 15-5. In the nightcap, the Rangers could not bounce back, falling 6-4 at the Ranger Softball Field at the Alva Recreation Complex.
With two losses on Friday, NWOSU falls to 7-15 overall and 2-14 in the Great American Conference.
In the first game, seven different Rangers connected with a hit. Kelsey Housley, Hannah Howell, Kalie Johnson, Morgan La Neve, Lindsey McElroy, Brianna Wisby and Allison Zanca.
Howell, La Neve and Mesa Gann each accounted for an RBI.
Howell would start game one throwing 3.0 innings total of 0.1 innings in relief. Howell would be saddled with the loss after allowing seven unearned runs on three hits with a strikeout; with the loss, she falls to 5-6 on the season.
Alexia Taylor would throw 1.2 innings allowing five hits and four runs, striking out one.
Victoria Vasquez would surrender three runs on three hits without recording an out, and Allie Hufford would throw 0.1 innings, giving up a run on two hits.
The Red-and-Black would score first, getting three runs in the bottom of the second. Jayden Solberg would leadoff reaching on a dropped flyball by the left fielder. Zanca would reach on a sacrifice bunt attempt that allowed Solberg to move up to third. La Neve would then single to center, driving in Solberg. Jayden Flowers would walk to load the bases, Gann would then pinch-hit and get walked to force Zanca in to score. Howell would wrap-up the scoring in the inning with a hard-hit single to the shortstop that would score Flowers.
Ouachita Baptist would answer in the top half of the third inning by scoring seven unearned runs aided by two Northwestern miscues.
The Rangers would get two runs back in the bottom of the fourth inning. Wisby would hit a one-out single to right field, then Howell would reach on a fielder's choice, and McElroy would get hit by a pitch to load the bases. Wisby and Howell would come in to score off an error by the second baseman, trimming OBU's lead to 7-5.
For the second time after the Red-and-Black score, the Tigers would respond. Ouachita Baptist would rally, scoring eight runs in the top of the seventh inning, taking game one 15-5.
In-game two, Howell and Gann would each collect two hits, while La Neve and McElroy had a hit.
Howell and Gann would also both drive in two runs in the game.
The Tigers would score first, getting a run in both the second and third innings, going up 2-0 through three innings.
The Rangers would strike back, getting two runs in the bottom of the fourth to tie the game at 2-2. Gann would get a one-out single, Housley would walk, then Howell would smack a double to center to score Shelbie Roberson and Housley.
OBU would retake the lead in the fifth with two runs.
In the bottom half of the inning, NWOSU would bounce back, tying the game at 4-4. Johnson would reach on an error. Then La Neve would single before Gann would drive a ball into the gap in left-center.
The Tigers would add a run in each the sixth and seven innings and Northwestern was unable to answer, falling in game two 6-4.
Hannah Scoggin would throw a complete game in the loss; she allowed six runs, on 14 hits with three strikeouts.
Game three will be tomorrow, with the first pitch set for 11 am.
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