BETHANY, OKLAHOMA - The Ranger Softball team traveled to Southern Nazarene to start a three game series on the road. THe Crimson Storm used a fast start in this game to open a 9-0 lead before closing out the 11-6 victory over the Rangers.
 

Rangers fall to 12-18-1 on the season with a 6-12 GAC record while Southern Nazarene improves to 13-18 and 10-7 in conference play. 
 

Lindsey McElroy and Mackenzie Adams each had one hit with two RBIs in the game while Hannah Howell had two hits to lead the team. Howell received the game one start, throwing the first two innings before being relieved by Victoria Vasquez and Allie Hufford, throwing the final four innings for the Rangers. 
 

Northwestern threatened to score in the first having two base runners in the inning, however were unable to take advantage as both were left on base. 
 

The Crimson Storm used the momentum after escaping the jam to jump out early in game one with a three run first inning. A double and two walks started the inning before a RBI single dropped on a diving attempt as three runners came across to score following a throwing error. 
 

Northwestern left two more on in the second inning before Southern Nazarene added to their lead. A double and a single with one out put the Crimson Storm in business as a single followed a double drove home two runs to extend their lead to 5-0. In the third inning Southern Nazarene was able to push across four more runs for a 9-0 lead as a walk and a single put two runners on before a double steal with an error had the sixth run home. Southern Nazarene followed with an RBI single for a 7-0 lead. Jone and Curlee than followed with a double and an RBI single for a 9-0 lead through the opening three innings. 
 

The fourth both teams retired the side in order holding Southern Nazarene's lead. Rangers scored their first run in the fifth inning as Oakley and DeTar reached on errors before a McElroy singled scored Jaci Oakley for the Rangers first run of the game. Later in the inning Adams ripped a single to left field scoring two more runs for a 9-3 Rangers lead as Howell and Brooklyn Lachappa scored.
 

The Crimson Storm answered with one run though on a solo home run to put their lead back to seven. 

The Ranges offense though continued into the sixth with another three run inning to cut their deficit down to 10-6. Northwestern had two reach on hit by pitches before Howell stepped up with the bases loaded after two runs came across on hit by pitches. It was 10-5 before a Howell RBI single made it 10-6 through the Ranges half of the inning.
 

Southern Nazarene answered back with one run on an RBI single after a passed ball allowed Isham to second as the Crimson Storm went back in the lead 11-6.
 

The comeback bid fell short there as the Rangers went down leaving one on base in the seventh as Northwestern dropped the series opener 11-6.
 

Northwestern will be back in action on Saturday afternoon for a doubleheader starting at Noon to close out the three game series with the Crimson Storm.