ALVA, OKLAHOMA - Northwestern Oklahoma State closed out their three game series agains the Crimson Storm of Southern Nazarene. The Crimson Storm took both games using a late comeback in game two of the day to win 16-12. In the opening game of the day Southern Nazarene won 5-2.
GAME ONE:
Yugo Hamakawa led the Rangers with two hits in the opening game of the day. Dylan Norsen had the Ranger RBI in game one of the day. Hamakawa and Brandon Holdren had the two Northwestern runs in the game.
Emilio Lovato started game one of the day throwing five innings allowing one earned run before Connor Gibson and Edwin Colon threw in relief closing out the final four innings with two innings each combining for five innings.
Southern Nazarene struck first in the opening innig following a single and a walk. The first run of the day would score on a throwing error on a pick off attempt for the Rangers.
Northwestern was able to answer back with two runs in the first inning, following a Hamakawa single and a Holdren walk set the Rangers up for a couple runs. Norsen hit a single to right field for an RBI and the Rangers first two runs of the afternoon giving the Rangers a 2-1 lead over the Crimson Storm.
The teams traded zeros into the fourth inning as the game remained 2-1 in Northwestern's favor. Southern Nazarene loaded the bases with nobody out to bring up Boyles as he would hit into a double play scoring the tying run at the time for a 2-2 game.
In the fifth inning the Rangers and Crimson Storm remained scoreless through the next two innings as the teams traded zeros into the sixth. Both teams had opportunities in their half of the innings as the Storm left three on base and the Rangers left two stranded.
The Crimson Storm took advantage of two Ranger errors setting up a scoring opportunity. The next hitter pushed a bunt single down the first base line putting the Crimson Storm out in front 3-2 through the sixth inning.
In the seventh Southern Nazarene had a leadoff walk followed by a single putting runners on the corners before a sacrifice fly extended their lead to 4-2.
Northwestern was unable to cut into the deficit leaving two more runners on base before Southern Nazarene extended their lead in the ninth on a solo home run to left field for a 5-2 lead.
The Rangers went down in order in their half of the ninth as the Crimson Storm took game two of the series to win the series over the Rangers 5-2.
GAME TWO:
Northwestern jumped out quick in game two scoring in the first four innings of the game. Northwestern stuck for two in the first after holding the Crimson Storm scoreless. Kelly started the inning with a walk before Holdren and Hoffman each singled as Hoffman drove in Hamakawa with an RBI single. Norsen followed with a sacrifice fly to center field to extend the Ranger lead to 2-0 after the first inning.
After Collins retired the Crimson Storm in order, Northwestern struck again in the second inning with back-to-back doubles to start the inning. First it was Orrock followed by Beiswanger RBI double to drive in the third run of the game. Hamakawa later stepped up in the inning driving in an RBI single as Bryan Guerrero came around to score. Hoffman later drove in his second run of the drive with an RBI single as the Rangers took a 5-0 lead through two innings.
The Crimson Storm were not ready to go away, answering back with three runs in the third. A single and walk started things for the storm before a Embrey double drove home their first two runs. Brown followed with an RBI single for the third run of the game as the Rangers led 5-3 into the bottom of the inning.
Northwestern wasted no time answering back with three more runs of their own in the home half of the inning. Beiswanger reached on a single to start the inning before coming around to score on a Kelly single. Hamakwaw followed with a 2-run home run to push the Rangers lead back to five at 8-3.
Collins threw a scoreless fourth inning before the Rangers added four more runs. Priest led things off with a walk before Orrock reached on a hit by pitch. Beiswanger followed with his second 2-RBI double of the game into left center as the Rangers lead was extended to 10-3. Guerrero singled to extend the lead to 12-3 before Holdren's bases-loaded walk pushed the lead to nine.
The Crimson Storm started their inning with a solo home run for one of three runs in the inning. After a single to left field the Crimson Storm hit a 2- run home run by Entwistle to cut the Rangers lead down to 12-6.
In the sixth inning the Crimson Storm put runners on first and second with one out a single drove home the first run of the inning cutting the Rangers lead down to 12-7. He was followed with a 2-RBI single to bring the game back within three runs. Rangers got a strikeout from Colon but a Wilson single followed by a Atten walk brough the visitors within one run at 12-11.
The seventh the Crimson Storm struck for five more runs to build a 16-12 lead over the Rangers. THe inning started with a single in the gap before a Taylor double tied the game at 12. The storm continued their rally with a walk before a pinch hit single to center scored two runs for a 14-12 Southern Nazarene lead. Irby walked with the bases loaded forcing in a run before a sacrifice fly brought home the game's final run for a 16-12 Crimson Storm win.
Northwestern will be back in action on Monday and Tuesday for two midweek non conference games before traveling to Shawnee for a conference series next weekend against Oklahoma Baptist. Monday will be home against Emporia State while Tuesday is on the road at Northeastern State.
