ALVA, OKLAHOMA - The Ranger softball team closed out their three game series against the Blossoms of Arkansas Monticello. Arkansas Monticello took their final lead of the game with two runs in the fifth regaining the lead at 5-3 before the Blossoms would hold on for a 5-4 win.
The loss drops the Rangers to 5-5 overall on the season and a 0-3 Great American Conference record. The win improves Arkansas Monticello to 8-8 on the year with a 3-0 conference record.
Northwestern had five different players with a hit in the game but overall were led by Mackenzie Adams on offense who led the team with a hit, 2-RBIs and 2 runs scored along with a stolen base.
Arkansas-Monticello jumped out fast after working around two Ranger singles in the top half of the inning. They used two straight singles before a sacrifice bunt would push the first run across off the day. This was followed by an RBI single to center field to give the home team a 2-0 lead after the first inning.
The Rangers were able to get one back in the second on a leadoff solo home run to center field by Adams to cut the two run deficit to one run. Arkansas Monticello answered back with that one run following a two-out single and stolen base before a Neal RBI single to center pushed their lead back to two at 3-1.
Both teams in the third went down in order as Allie Hufford came in pitching in relief getting three straight fly outs.
In the fourth inning the Rangers tied the games with two runs in the fourth. Jayden Solberg led off with a single before stealing second. She would come around to score after Adams drove her in. Adams then stole second before coming around to score on an RBI single by Jaci Oakley.
The game remained three to three into the bottom of the fifth inning after Tedder reached on an error and came around to score on a triple by Cornell followed by a sacrifice fly which would drive her home for the 5-3 Arkansas Monticello lead.
Northwestern battled in the seventh having the first two hitters reach safely following a walk and hit by pitch. Lindsey McElroy would come around to score on a fielder's choice hit by Solberg. The rally would stop there though as Franks was able to escape further damage and hold the one run win Monday.
The Rangers will be back in action Wednesday on the road for a non-conference midweek game against Newman University in Wichita, Kansas. Northwestern will return to conference play Friday afternoon against East Central.
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