MONTICELLO, ARKANSAS - Ranger Softball opened Great American Conference play Sunday afternoon with a doubleheader to start their series against Arkansas Monticello. Arkansas Monticello would use a big fifth inning to take an 11-7 lead in game on before winning by that score. In the second game they used a fast start in the first inning to take control before their 8-0 win.

The loss drops the Rangers to 5-4 overall on the season and 0-2 in conference play while Arkansas Monticello moves to 7-8 with a 2-0 GAC record. 

GAME ONE:
The Rangers were led by Abby DeTar and Hannah Howell at the plate with two hits each as Morgan La Neve and Howell led the team with 2 RBI to start the game. Lindsey McElroy and Jayden Solberg each with an RBI. 

The first game of the doubleheader started with a pitcher's duel between the two teams as a combined of one hit between the two teams before the third inning the offense struck for the Blossoms.

The inning started with two singles followed by a double steal for Arkansas Monticello as the first run came across the plate for a 1-0 lead. That was followed by Tedder picking up an RBI on a fielder's choice with back-to-back fielder's choice and an RBI single Monticello extended their lead to 4-0. 

Northwestern answered back right away with a five spot in the fourth inning. Things got started with a DeTar double before Howell drove in a run with a double as well. A wild pitch followed by a Solberg double brought the Rangers back within a run at 4-3. La Neve gave the Rangers their first lead of the game with a two run home run at 5-4 game. 

The bats stayed alive though as in the bottom half of the fourth inning the home team answered back with three runs to regain the lead at 7-5. Two Ranger errors followed by a single and a triple gave the Blossoms the lead. 

Northwestern kept the run marathon alive with a two spot in the fifth to tie the game back at seven. McElroy doubled home DeTar before Howell hit an RBI single for a 7-7 game. 

Arkansas Monticello scored four in the home half of the fifth to take an 11-7 lead off a three run home run by Neal following a Suarez RBI double. 

Hufford came into pitch for the Rangers, throwing a scoreless sixth inning. Northwestern would get one base runner in the seventh but Monticello would escape any damage holding on for the 11-7 game one win. 

GAME TWO:

The Rangers were led in hits by six different players with one hit in the game with DeTar, McElroy, La Neve, Mackenzie Adams, Jacie Oakley and Rodriguez each with one.

Scoggin received the game two start for Northwestern throwing three innings in the loss before Ally Hufford took over in the fourth throwing 1.2 innings with two strikeouts. 

After the Rangers went down quietly Arkansas Monticello struck first in their half of the inning as following a leadoff walk followed by a stolen base allowed an RBI single to give Monticello the early lead. The second run came across with the bases loaded and a walk would force the second run in. 

In the second inning after back-to-back walks, Neal hit a three run home run to push the Monticello lead to 5-0 over the Rangers. 

McElroy would hit a single but Arkansas Monticello would escape with no damage done before extending their lead in the home half of the third inning. Wood would step up with the bases loaded drawing the second base loaded walk for a 6-0 game. Holdbrook would follow with an RBI single extending the lead to 7-0. 

Northwestern had a scoring opportunity in the fourth with a walk followed by two singles to load the bases before a groundout would get Arkansas Monticello out of the jam. The game would come to a close following a single and a walk before a Neal double pushed the Monticello lead to 8-0. 

Northwestern will be back in action on Monday morning to close out the three game series against Arkansas Monticello. The first pitch is scheduled for 11:00 AM.