ALVA, Okla- Northwestern Oklahoma State played host to MIAA team Newman Jets on Wednesday. The Jets jumped out fast with a four run third inning before going on for a 17-5 win over the Rangers.
Rangers drop to 1-3 on the season as Newman improves to 4-1 on the year.
Haruki Kitazaki led the team with 2RBI in the afternoon including a home run in the first inning for the first of the year. Northwestern hit three home runs Kitazaki, Gavin Mendoza, and Brandon Holdren. Brayden Koenig led the team with three hits in the game.
Brady Bowles received the mid-week game start throwing three innings striking out four. He was relieved by Connor Gibson. Dylan Collins, Kyler Harris, Kyle Moran, and Matthew Potts all pitched in relief.
Newman jumped out fast in this game with two runs in the top of the 1st inning, as Newman got things started with a leadoff double. The Jets would load the bases before Steele the Newman first baseman ripped a single driving in the first two runs of the game.
Northwestern answered back with a run as Kitazaki blasted a home run to left field for his first of the season getting the Rangers on the board. Rangers would get two more base runners but leave them there as Newman escaped further damage. Each pitcher would settle in the next inning with a scoreless second inning. Bowles retired the Jets in order, striking out the final hitter of the inning.
The Jets struck again in the third inning once again loading the bases this time with one out. Bowles would strikeout the next batter for the second out but Ferrante followed with a grand slam extending the Jets lead to 6-1.
Northwestern would answer back with a run in the fourth inning with a solo home run to right field bringing the deficit back to four.
Newman responded quickly hitting back-to-back home runs both benign shots to right center extending their lead to 9-2. In the bottom half of the inning Mendoza crushed one to right field bringing the score to 9-3.
In the sixth inning Northwestern would continue to chip back into the game adding two more runs. Koening led things off with a single followed by a Jet error. Erickson would drive in a Ranger's run with a double in the gap. The next run was driven in by Kitazaki on a fielder's choice hit to third.
The Jet bats struck again in the seventh with a four run inning. Newman had a leadoff single before drawing two walks. One run was driven in on a ground out, followed by a double and sacrifice fly as Newman extended their lead to 13-5.
Newman's offense struck in the seventh inning following a Ranger error, the Jets extended their lead to 15-5. The visitors added one more on an RBI single in the inning for a 16-5 lead through eight innings of play.
The ninth inning the Jets would tack on their last run on a solo home run. The Jets closed out a 17-5 victory over the Rangers.
Northwestern will be back in action on Friday hosting the Northwestern festival. Rangers will play at Noon on Friday as they host New Mexico Highlands.
For the latest news and updates on NWOSU Baseball, follow @NWOSUAthletics on TWITTER or visit www.riderangersride.com.
