ALVA, OKLAHOMA- The Rangers secure a win this Tuesday afternoon 4-1 against the Newman Jets in their home opener snapping a three game losing streak. The beginning of the game was dominated by Northwestern with a 3-0 run first inning in thanks to Hagen Barcello's line-drive to right field. Newman scored their only run within the 3rd inning and the Rangers were able to seal the win with final run completed in the 5th inning.
This is NWOSU's first win of the season making their record now 1-3 while Newman drops 2-2 for their season.
Brandon Holdren led the offense with 1 run, 1 RBI, and 2 of the 7 hits made by the team. Hagen Barcello, Colby Grace, picked up the other RBI for Northwestern in the win. Will Kates picked up his first colligate win following a five inning one run performance while striking out three. Matthew Potts earned his first save of the seson after closing out the final four inning in the win with four strikeouts.
The Rangers offense started fast with a walk for Shaughn Kelly before Joseph Frisby hit single out into center field.. After Barcello's line-drive to right field line for his RBI scoring Kelly to home plate. Holdren was able to repeat the same thing Barcello did and sending Frisby home for a 2-0 Ranger lead in the first. Third ball was hit to right field again as Colby Grace hit a sacrifice fly for a 3-0 lead for the Rangers!
Will Kates struck out batter in the second inning to help escaped a runner on second nobody out jam. This helped keep the momentum transitioning into offense, as Kelly got on base with a fielder's choice and was able to steal second base but he was unable to come around to score. Kates allowed his only run in the third inning on a double by Angelico scoring Kiser but the Ranger defense came up large on the following play. On a fly out to right field Brayden Koenig threw out the runner trying to score for the third out.
There was no scoring for the Rangers until the 5th inning with double made by Holdren started the rally for Northwestern. Grace was able to advance him to third and score the final run of the game on a pass ball after stealing second.
Matthew Potts was the relief pitcher for the four innings, and went his first innings with zero runs, or hits. During the bottom of this inning the Rangers left two on base when finished as they threatened to add to their lead.
Potts allowed a single hit in the seventh inning was made by Jack Kiser, but struck out the next batter to close the inning allowing no runs. The only hit of the inning for the Rangers was made by Colby Jarnigan. During the final inning of the game, Potts helped the Rangers secured three outs in a row on two ground outs and a fly-out closing out his four inning save and the Rangers first win of the season. This ended the game with a final score of 4-1.
Northwestern Oklahoma State will begin a 4-game series against Northwestern Missouri State University here at the Glass Family Field at Myers Stadium starting Thursday and ending Sunday afternoon.
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