ADA, OKLA - Northwestern Oklahoma State Ranger softball split their doubleheader Saturday winning game one behind a five run second inning before winning 8-0 in five innings. In game two the Tigers used a two run third inning to spark their 3-1 victory for a series win for East Central two games out of three.

The split doubleheader brings their record to 7-8 overall on the season with a 1-5 conference record. East Central improves to 6-11 on the season. 

GAME ONE: 

The Rangers offense in the first game was led by Abby DeTar with four RBIs and a run scored. Jayden Solberg led the team with two hits in the game with 2-RBIs. Allison Zanca and Geneis Rodriguez each had an RBI. 

Hannah Howell threw Saturday afternoon game one throwing five innings for a complete game shutout striking out two batters. This was her second shutout of the season for the Rangers. 

The Tigers tried to get things started in this game with two hits in the bottom of the first inning but the Rangers' starter Howell was able to escape damage on a line drive double play escaping the first inning.

The Northwestern offense struck in the top of the second inning after two hits loaded the bases Rodriguez delivered an RBI single to left field. The bases were still loaded when DeTar ripped a grand slam to left center field giving the Rangers a 5-0 lead in the second inning. 

In the bottom half of the inning Howell walked the leadoff hitter before striking out the next two and escaping the inning with no damage done holding the 5-0 lead. The game would remain 5-0 until the fourth inning when the Rangers offense struck once again.

In the fourth following Howell stranded a runner on second after the Tigers offense was unable to score. Zanca led the fourth inning off with a solo home run to left center field putting the Rangers in front 6-0. Howell singled to right field before Solberg blasted a 2-run home run to left field putting the Rangers in front 8-0 in the fifth inning. 

The Tigers once again threatened to score in their half of the inning picking up two hits and loading the bases before Howell escaped any damage holding the Rangers 8-0 lead for the win in five innings 

GAME TWO:

In game two of the doubleheader Rangers had five different hitters with one hit each. Zanca delivered Northwestern's first run on a solo home run for the Rangers one run in game two. 

Hannah Scoggin started game two of the doubleheader throwing a complete game for the Rangers throwing six innings allowing three runs while striking two.

The first inning the two teams traded scoreless innings as each team would get a base runner in the first but runners would be stranded.

In the second inning both teams would be retired in order as the game remained 0-0 through two innings of play. In the third inning the Rangers and Tigers would go down in order again as Scoggin was through the first three innings scoreless.

Northwestern would threaten in the fourth with two hits to start the inning but the Tigers found their way out of the inning with two strikeouts then threw out McElroy stealing. 

East Central's offense struck in the fourth with a leadoff triple followed by an RBI groundout for the first run of the game as the Tigers went up 1-0. Ham would then double and advance to third on a wild pitch. Bryant would hit her in with a sacrifice fly to left field.

The game would remain that way until the fifth inning as Ham hit a solo home run to left field pushing their lead to 3-0. 

Zanca tried to spark a comeback following a leadoff home run to start the inning bringing the game to 3-1. The Rangers comeback attempt would stop there after three straight outs. 

Northwestern will return home for a doubleheader Tuesday afternoon playing host to Southwestern Oklahoma State continuing conference play opening a five game homestand in conference next week.

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