ALVA, OKLAHOMA - Northwestern Oklahoma State softball opened their three game series with the Bison on Friday evening as Oklahoma Baptist opened the game fast with a six run first inning leading to the teams 7-2 victory Friday. 
 

The win improves the Bison's record to 23-18 overall and an 11-11 conference record as the Rangers drop to 13-21-1 with a 7-15 GAC record. 

Hannah Howell threw a complete game for the Rangers throwing seven innings striking out one batter while throwing 114 pitchers in the game. 

Northwestern's offense was led by Howell and Allison Zanca in hits each with one while Howell and Adams drove home the runs each with one RBI in the loss. Abby DeTar and Brooklyn LaChappa scored the two Rangers runs. 

The Bison struck first in Alva with a big six run first inning on the Rangers. The inning started with two straight singles for the Bison before a strikeout for Howell. After a walk loaded the bases, a single through the right side pushed across the first two runs of the game. OBU followed with a second straight RBI single extending the Bison lead to 3-0.

The second infield single of the inning scored the fourth run of the inning as the throw home was not in time. The fifth and sixth run came across on a fielder's choice followed by a Rangers error. 

The Rangers went down in order in their half of the inning before Howell settled into the second inning. Each pitcher retired the sides in order in the second inning. 

In the third inning Howell worked around a leadoff single before throwing a scoreless inning. Rangers went down in order for the third straight inning before striking in the fourth. 

The Bison went down in order before two straight walks drawn by DeTar and McElroy before a Howell RBI single put the Rangers on the board. Adams followed with a sacrifice fly to left field to cut the Ranger deficit to 6-2 through three innings. 

Oklahoma Baptist came back to answer with one in the fifth inning after two straight batters reached after a leadoff walk followed by a single. The Bison moved the runners to second and third followed by an RBI groundout to extend the lead to 7-2. 

The Bison started the sixth with a single but no damage was done as the game remained 7-2. In the seventh inning after Howell held the Bison scoreless, the Rangers went down in order as Oklahoma Baptist held on for the 7-2 victory over the Rangers.

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