LUBBOCK, Texas- Northwestern opened their 2022 season Friday as head coach Ryan Wondrasek started his tenure at Northwestern with two games. Northwestern used a strong start from Hannah Howell and timely triple as Jayden Solberg walked the Rangers off in game one. In game two Eastern New Mexico used a big fifth inning scoring eight runs to get past the Rangers in comeback fashion for a 10-6 loss.
Northwestern overall splits their doubleheader Friday with moving to 1-1 on the 2022 season.
Game One:
Northwestern finished with six hits on day two coming from Allison Zanca in the opening game win. The Rangers RBI came on a walk off triple for Jayden Solberg as Jill Bouse scored the game winning run. Northwestern received hits from Abby Detar, Howell, Morgan La Neve.
Howell received the opening game start for the Rangers, throwing seven innings for a complete game shutout while striking out three Colorado Christian hitters.
Colorado Christian at the top of the first single but Howell worked around retiring the side from there holding the Cougars off the board.
The Rangers had their first hit of the 2022 season in the bottom of the second inning on a single to left field by Zanca. Northwestern was unable to move here around the bases though as the score remained 0-0 through two innings.
Colorado Christian had their best scoring opportunity in the 3rd inning as they loaded the bases after the first two hitters of the inning reached base safely off a single and an error. Howell struck out the next batter before a walk which loaded the bases loaded with one out. She would work around the jam as the Rangers defense stepped up.
The Cougars tried to score on a bunt but Howell threw home for the out at the plate to keep Colorado Christian off the board. Howell would retire the side after a pop up to short.
The game would remain 0-0 throughout the game as Howell retired the side in the fourth before working around two hits following innings.
Northwestern's offense struck in the seventh after Howell worked around a double to keep the game 0-0. Zanca led the seventh off with a single to left center field. Solberg would pinch hit in the seventh as she roped a triple scoring pinch runner Bouse who came around to score the game winning run for the Rangers. Northwestern took game one winning the season opener for the third straight season.
Game Two:
In the second game Hannah Scoggin received the game two start for her first start of the season. She opened the first allowing two base runners but would work around the jam holding the game 0-0 heading to the bottom half of the inning.
Detar got things started in the bottom half of the first inning with a single to center field. Lindsey McElroy drilled a 2-run home run to left field putting the Rangers on the board and giving Northwestern their first lead of the game at 2-0! Northwestern was not done as Howell got hit by a pitch followed by a double from Solberg. La Neve would hit Howell on a ground out before Adams doubled to left field putting a four spot on the board in the first inning for a 4-0 Ranger lead.
Eastern New Mexico though would answer back with two in the top of the inning. ENMU would load the bases following a single and back-to-back walks. Wooley drove in a run on a fielder's choice followed by a single from Urquidez. Scoggin escaped further damage, holding the game at 4-2.
After the Rangers went down quietly Scoggin would strike out two in the top of third holding the Rangers lead at 4-2. The game would stay with this same score into the fifth inning when Eastern New Mexico would break through with a major inning.
Easter New Mexico started the inning off with a single followed by a drawn walk. After a stolen base moving runners to second and third nobody out the Rangers would allow two runs on a single tying the game back at 4-4. The inning would continue as Eastern New Mexico took advantage of a couple Ranger miscues including two hit batsmen and two errors to allow Eastern New Mexico to score eight runs in the inning and take a 10-4 lead.
The bottom half of the inning Northwestern answered back with two runs. The Rangers would hit two straight singles before a walk would load the bases. Oakley singled up the middle scoring two runs cutting the deficit back down to four at 10-6. Northwestern's rally would stop there at 10-6.
The game ended with that score as both teams would tack on a couple base runners but neither was able to push a run across as the Rangers dropped game two 10-6.
Northwestern will return to action Saturday for another doubleheader with the first pitch of game one starting at 11:00AM with the second game scheduled for 4:00 PM against Lubbock Christian University.
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