RUSSELLVILLE, ARKANSAS - Northwestern Oklahoma State opened a three game series against the Golden Suns Friday. Arkansas Tech used a three run bottom of the sixth inning to take the lead one last time before closing out the three run victory over the Rangers.
Morgan La Neve led the Rangers with two hits and 2-RBIs on the afternoon tied with Jaci Oakley for the team high of 2-runs batted in. Six players each had one hit in the afternoon against Arkansas Tech.Â
After a scoreless first inning for the Rangers, Arkansas Tech started things off after Chavers was hit by a pitch. Riley tripled in the game's first run to take a 1-0 lead. Well followed with an RBI groundout to score Riley to take a 2-0 lead. The inning ended on Alayna Georgio throwing out Mayberry trying to steal.Â
In the second inning the Rangers had back to back singles to start the inning from Adams and La Neve. Arkansas Tech was able to escape the inning with no damage done before extending their lead. In the bottom half of the second inning Keaton started it with a single before she stole second with one out. Crutchfield singled Keaton in to take a 3-0 over the Rangers through two innings.Â
Genesis Rodriguez led the inning off with a single before an error and a walk loaded the bases with one out. The first run for the Rangers scored as Rodriguez scored on a wild pitch. Adams followed with a sacrifice fly to score Abby DeTar to cut the deficit to 3-2.Â
In the bottom of the inning the Golden Suns had a single and a walk but Howell escaped with no damage done holding the game at 3-2.Â
Northwestern threatened in the fourth inning with two hits in the inning but a double play helped the Golden Suns escape without any runs allowed. Arkansas Tech extended their one run lead in the fourth inning with a three run home run to center field for a 6-2 lead after a walk and an error put the base runners on base.Â
However the Red-and-Black did not go down quietly as the Rangers plated four fifth inning runs. Started with a DeTar single followed by a Lindsey McElroy single led to a Morgan La Neve RBI single to left field plating two runs to cut the deficit to 6-4. Oakley followed with a 2 RBI double to right center field as the Rangers stormed back to tie the game at 6-6.
The game remained tied until the bottom of the sixth inning was the Golden Suns broke through for three runs. After a one out hit by pitch followed by a Wells single put two on with one out. Goins then followed with a three run blast to left center field to give the home team a 9-6 lead.Â
In the Rangers half of the seventh inning went down in order as the Golden Suns completed the 9-6 win in the opening game of the series over Northwestern.Â
The series will conclude with a Saturday afternoon doubleheader against Arkansas Tech with first pitch scheduled for Noon with the second game following shortly after.
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