ALVA, OKLAHOMA - The Rangers played a midweek non conference game Tuesday afternoon as the Rangers won in comeback fashion. Northwestern used a five run eighth inning to take the lead after the game saw five lead changes. Blake Hoffman hit a 3-run home run in the eighth to take the 13-10 lead which the Rangers won by that score.
Northwestern closed out the win improving their record to 10-12 on the season for their seventh straight home victory.
Brady Bowles received the start Tuesday afternoon against the Aggies throwing 3.1 innings striking out one. Connor Gibson relieved Bowles, throwing 0.2 innings closing out the fourth. Cade Phelps was the third pitcher, throwing 2.2 innings striking out three. Yamakoshi relieved Phelps before Edwin Colon closed out the game with 2.1 innings picking up his third win.
Hoffman led the Rangers offense with four hits driving in three runs both being team highs. Braydon Koenig drove in three runs as well tied for the team high. Yugo Hamakawa and Gavin Mendoza each had two RBIs in the afternoon. Koenig, Hamakawa, and Mendoza each had three hits on the day.
The first inning Bowels worked around a one out single in the top of the first before the Rangers went down in order.
Northwestern opened the scoring in the second inning as Hoffman led the inning off with a singled back up the middle. With runners on second and third Frisby hit a sacrifice fly to left field. Mendoza roped a double to left center bringing home the second run. Northwestern took a 2-0 lead into the third inning.
The Aggies struck in the second to even the score following a single and a walk, Bowles retired the next two hitters. With two outs Hunt hit a triple to right field scoring two runs as Oklahoma Panhandle tied the game in the third inning.
The Rangers responded with a five spot in the bottom of the third inning. Kelly reached safely before stealing second going into scoring position before an Hamakawa single regained the lead for the Rangers. Hoffman hit a single to put runners on the corners before Koenig blasted a three run home run to right center to put the Rangers in front 6-2. Frisby followed with a double to right center, before Mendoza hit an RBI single to right center for a 7-2 lead.
Oklahoma Panhandle State in the fourth inning as they matched the Rangers five spot. Cabrera drove in two runs with a triple down the left field line scoring two runs. Hunt with runners on second and third hit a single to left center to cut their deficit to one at 7-6. Mora than singled to tie the game at seven.
Northwestern put runners on the corner with one out as Holdren drove in the Rangers' eighth run putting Northwestern back in front at 8-7. Phelps pitched a scoreless fifth inning getting out of a jam on a groundout back to the mound.
The teams would trade scoreless six innings in the sixth before Oklahoma Panhandle struck for three runs to take the lead. With a runner on first Hunt doubled to center field scoring two runs to give the Aggies a 9-8 lead. App followed with an RBI double to push the Aggies lead to 10-8.
The Rangers struck again in the eight inning as Northwestern came from behind to take the lead. It started with Kelly and Mendoza reaching base safely on a walk and hit by pitch. Hamakawa singled to cut the deficit to 10-9 before Kelly scored on a balk. Hoffman then blasted a three run home run to left center field pushing the Rangers in front 13-10.
Oklahoma Panhandle would threaten in the ninth following a walk and a single putting the tying run at the plate but Colon would escape with no damage done. The Rangers closed out the 13-10 victory.
Northwestern will be back in action Friday as the team travels to Henderson State in Arkadelphia, Arkansas for a three game series.
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