ARKADELPHIA, ARKANSAS- Ranger baseball closed out their opening conference series splitting the doubleheader against the Tigers. The Rangers won game one with a 4-3 comeback from behind victory before falling in game two 6-3.
Game ONE:
Northwestern started the day with a come from behind victory 4-3 over Ouachita Baptist following two runs to tie the game in the 7th inning before a ninth inning run got the job done.
Justin Dunlap picked up the victory after throwing two innings in relief. Garrett DeHaas and Cade Phelps each threw in the Rangers victory.
Neither team could score in the opening inning before the Ranger offense struck first in the second inning. Jon Shaffer walked before a Hayden Priest double set up second and third. Trevor Saire hit an RBI groundout to push across the game's first run of the day.
Northwestern's game started when Garrett DeHaas threw a scoreless second inning holding onto the one run lead. It was not until the third inning the Tigers bats struck taking the lead for the first time of the game. After a leadoff double the run came around to score on a fielding error on the throw to tie the game at 1-1. Core came around to score on a sacrifice fly to take a 2-1 lead in the third inning.
In the fourth both pitchers worked around a leadoff base runner to keep the game where it was at 2-1 in favor of the Tigers. In the fifth inning Ouachita Baptist extended the lead to 3-1 on an Allen home run.
The game remained this way until the seventh inning when the Rangers tied the game. Shaffer led off with a single. Saire walked, putting the tying run on base. Following a wild pitch to set up second and Third Beiswanger reached on a fielding error to allow both runs to score for a 3-3 game.
Northwestern held the game at 3-3 following a one-two-three inning. Justin Dunlap held the game at 3-3 after a scoreless 8th inning before Northwestern took the lead in the ninth.
Gavin Mendoza led the inning off with a double before pinch runner Joseph Frisby was moved to third on a sac bunt by Beiswanger. This set up Frisby scoring on a wild pitch for a 4-3 Ranger lead.
Dunlap finished off the one run victory following retiring the Tigers in order as the Rangers took game one evening the series with a 4-3 win.
GAME TWO:
Northwestern jumped out early in the second game for runs in the first two innings but the Tigers answering back with a five spot in the second was the difference in the series finale for a 6-3 victory.
Cole Rodriguez got the start before Connor Gibson threw 3.2 innings allowing an unearned run to score. Matthew Potts threw one scoreless inning.
Hagen Barcello got things started with a one out single before a Jon Shaffer double to left center field pushed the Rangers in front early with a 1-0 lead. The Tigers answered back though taking advantage of a two out walk before a Chaney single tied the game at one.
In the second inning a Trevor Saire single started things for the Rangers before he came around to score on a Beiswanger single for a 2-1 lead. The Ouachita offense exploded for five runs in the inning to take a 6-1 lead. Two walks and an error loaded the bases. A hit batter made it 2-2 before a grand slam on Quinones home run to right center pushed the Tigers in front 6-2.
Rangers in the fourth inning looked to try and start a comeback opportunity but a line out into a double play killed the inning. Northwestern did have two hits on a single and a double to left field by Brayden Koenig but the Tigers' defense escaped the jam. Gavin Mendoza reached safely on a walk before getting to second on a wild pitch but was left there following a strike out.
Connor Gibson continued to hold the Tigers to six after this third straight scoreless inning following the grand slam.
Northwestern was able to score one more run on a Brayden Koenig fielder's choice scoring Hayden Priest. Priest reached base safely before a Trevor Saire single moved him into scoring position. Rangers trailed 6-3.
Ouachita Baptist closed out the 6-3 win holding the Rangers scoreless in the seventh inning not allowing a base runner.
