ARKADELPHIA- ARKANSAS: Henderson State and Northwestern Oklahoma State split a doubleheader Saturday as the Reddies took game one from the Rangers 10-5 after a big three run first inning to open the day. Northwestern took game two with a a late run in the sixth inning to to hold off a 2-1 victory over the Reddies. This sets up the third game on Sunday afternoon for a chance to win the conference opening series.
GAME ONE
 The Lady Rangers were first to bat in today's matchup, and Abby DeTar was able to immediately get on base as she walked.. Macy Spearman hit a sacrifice bunt in effort to get DeTar to second base. Hannah Howell hit a single into right field for the game's first run, scoring early in the game. Jaci Oakley answered back to her teammates' momentum by sending the ball into left field, allowing Howell to make it home scoring the second run of the game for Northwestern taking an early 2-0 lead.Â
Henderson State however was able to come back and score three runs because of a double hit into left field while bases were loaded, with a score of 3-2 to end the first inning.
 One hit was made by Lady Rangers in the second inning by Abby DeTar but after a double play was completed by Lady Reddies Rangers were retired in their half of the inning. Howell pitched two strikeouts in her second trip to the mound, but Henderson was able to score three extending their lead to 6-2.Â
Third inning was quiet for both teams, before at the top of the fourth, Tatum Winter got a hit off into left field, completing a triple. Avery Clark sacrificed a bunt to send Winter home, adding another run to the score 6-3.Â
In the bottom of the fourth, the first two outs were made quick with pop flies caught by DeTar, and another strikeout completed by Howell. They managed however to score three more times on a homerun, making the score 9-3.
Spearman hit to start the fifth inning, singling to first. Howell hits the ball out past center field, for a home run and 2 RBIs. Third hit of the inning was made by Oakley into left field. No runs were allowed for Lady Reddies as Northwestern put up defensive stance in bottom of the fifth, only allowing one hit for duration of inning.
 Sacrifice fly was made by Henderson State after Howell was subbed by Shakyrah Gladness, securing their 10th run of the game. Gladness stuck out one batter during her first inning.Â
Henderson State closed out the game with it ending as the Lady Rangers did not manage to get any runs from there, with a final score of 10-5 Lady Reddies.
GAME TWO:
Henderson State looked to get on the board early after a scoreless top of the first for the Rangers. HEnderson State had a leadoff double followed by a two out walk before Ranger starter Ireland Caro got Copeland to ground out, holding the game at 0-0 through one.Â
Northwestern had two hits in the top of the second inning but two strikeouts retired the side still at 0-0. The Reddies got on the board in the third inning following a double to left field scoring O'Quinn who singled to start the inning taking a 1-0 lead.Â
It did not take long for the Rangers to answer back as Mackenzie Adams walked before McElory scored on a Reddie error to tie the game at 1-1. Caro continued to throw well, getting the leadoff hitter to strike out before closing out the inning with a groundout.Â
The game remained 1-1 until the top of the sixth inning as Mackenzie Adams hit a one out single moving Madeline Pack to second after a leadoff walk. Ashley Low came up with the bases loaded as she hit a sacrifice fly to right field scoring Pack for a 2-1 lead.Â
In the bottom of the seventh inning the Reddies last chance with the Rangers still holding a one run lead, Henderson State started with a double. They bunted her to third before a walk and a stolen base had the winning run on second and third. A ground out to first followed by a groundout to second closed out the one run victory for the Rangers.Â
Northwestern split the doubleheader setting up a third game for the series on Sunday afternoon to close out the first conference series.
