SHAWNEE OKLAHOMA - Northwestern Oklahoma State closed out their three game series in Shawnee this afternoon with a Saturday doubleheader as the Bison took game one following a big second inning jumping out to a 5-0 lead. The Rangers won game two behind a big seven run third inning before closing out the 14-9 victory. The win marks head coach Ryan Bowen his 100th career victory at the collegiate level and with the Rangers.

Northwestern goes to 16-21 overall on the season with a 10-14 GAC record. Oklahoma Baptist falls to 18-16 on the season with 13-11 conference record.

GAME ONE: 

The pitchers in the opening inning started off strong in this one as the first featured five strikeouts between the two teams to start the game. In the second inning a leadoff walk was left on at first before the Bison struck first in the second inning with a five spot in the inning.

After a leadoff strikeout the Bison followed with getting three straight runners on with two singles and a hit batter before a Parga grand slam put the Bison on the board with a 4-0 lead. Following a double and a wild pitch allowed the fifth run to come across.

Northwestern went down in order in the third before the Bison added to their lead as a leadoff walk followed by back-to-back doubles pushed the lead to 7-0. Furrey came across to score for an 8-0 lead on a Ranger error.

The Red-and-Black answered back with a four spot in the fourth after Hoffman and Kelly got things started with a single and a walk. Priest singled to right center driving home the Rangers first run of the game as Hoffman went across to score. Frisby followed with an RBI double. A Buckson single made the game 8-4 as the Rangers continued their comeback attempt.

Bison held the Rangers scoreless in the fifth before Oklahoma Baptist scored three more runs in their half of the inning extending their lead. Kissel and Parga hit back-to-back home runs in the inning for runs nine and ten before a Pruitt RBI single pushed the lead to 11-4.

In the sixth inning the Bison had a runner reach on an error before a two-run home run extended their lead to 13-4 through six innings of play.

Northwestern answered back with a run in the seventh with a solo home run by Buckson however the Bison answered with a run in the bottom half of the inning to extend their lead back to nine at 14-5.

Kelly led off the eight with a single before a Priest double setup second and third nobody out. Orrock had an RBI groundout bringing home Kelly. The Bison were able to close the game out in the bottom half of the eighth inning after a leadoff home run before the winning run crossed the plate on a Ranger error to close out the ten run victory.

GAME TWO:
Brett Erickson and Shaughn Kelly each led the team with a three hit game as Kelly led the Rangers with 3-RBIs tied with Hoffman. Brayden Koenig, and Brandon Holdren each had 2-RBIs for the Rangers.

Dylan Collins had the start for Northwestern throwing four innings allowing two earned runs while striking out four. Cade Phelps threw in relief, throwing 2.1 innings allowing three runs and striking out two. Edwin Colon threw 0.2 innings striking out both batters he faced.

Northwestern struck early in game two of the day with a two run first inning. Erickons, Hamkawa and Holdren all reached safely before Hoffman drove in the first run on a ground out. Kelly followed with an RBI double down the left field line as the Rangers led 2-0.

Bison struck for two runs in the inning to tie the game at 2-2. Keller drove home a run while reaching on an error. Schroeder followed with a solo home run to tie the game at 2-2.

The Rangers wasted no time answering back though as Frisby, Koenig and Buckson started the inning. Hamakawa drove home the third run on a sacrifice fly to take a 3-2 lead. Holdren followed with an RBI single to score Koenig to take a 4-2 lead.

Kelly led off the third with a solo home run extending the Ranger lead to 5-2. Joseph Frisby then doubled, setting up second and third followed by a Brayden Koenig single as the Rangers went up 7-2. Fred Buckson continued the hit parade in the third with an RBI single as the lead went to 8-2. After a Holdren single made it 9-2 Hoffman followed by blasting a two-run home run to left center giving the Rangers an 11-2 lead through three innings of play.

In the fourth inning Buckson drew a two-out walk before a Erickson RBI triple gave the Rangers a 12-2 lead. The Bison were able to answer back in their half of the fourth with two runs on a bases loaded walk followed by a fielder's choice cutting the Ranger lead to 12-4.

In the fifth inning Holdren led the inning off with a walk before a Kelly double gave the Rangers a 13-4 lead. Hayden Priest scored Kelly on a fielding error as the Rangers took a 14-4 lead. In the sixth inning the Bison struck for five runs. Shields drove home the first run of the inning with a single to left field with the bases loaded. Pruitt cleared the bases with a grand slam to cut the Ranger lead down to 14-9.

Phelps and Colon combined to close out the seventh and final inning as Colon struck out the final two batters of the game.

The Rangers will be back in action on Tuesday for a mid-week game against East Central as the game will be played in Enid at David Allen Memorial Ballpark.
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