BETHANY, OKLA - Northwestern Oklahoma State traveled to Bethany to start a three game series with the Crimson Storm. The Rangers won the series opener 10-7 after a grand slam by Koenig gave the Rangers a 9-1 lead.
Shaughn Kelly led the team with three hits along with three runs scored and three RBIs in the win including a two run home run. Brayden Koenig had a team high 4-RBIs with two hits and two runs scored with a Grand Slam.
Cole Rodriguez started the game throwing six innings allowing three hits and two runs while striking out six. Drew Price and Cade Phelps pitched in relief combining for the final three innings.
After a scoreless first inning for the Rangers Rodriguez allowed a two out double before working out of the jam striking out the final batter of the inning.
Northwestern went down in order before Roriguez worked around a second inning jam after walking two batters he struck out the final batter of the inning for the second straight time.
The Ranger offense struck in the third on the Crimson Storm as Theron Perkins led the inning off with a solo home run for a 1-0 lead. In the inning he was followed by a Hayden Priest double before Shaughn Kelly hit a 2-run home run for a 3-0 lead on the second home run of the inning.
Southern Nazarene tried to answer back after runners reached first and third with nobody out. Rodriguez worked out of the inning allowing one run getting a fielder's choice before a flyout to retire the inning.
Northwestern got back on the board in the fourth inning answering the Southern Nazarene back as Koenig got the inning started with a two out single to left field before an RBI double by Perkins scored Koenig for a 4-1 Ranger lead. Rodriguez followed with a scoreless fourth inning.
The Rangers kept the pressure on the Crimson Storm as Hagen Barcello singled to left center with an RBI scoring Priest. Following the single the bases were loaded after a single by Brandon Holdren. Koenig cleared the bases with a grand slam pushing the lead to 9-1.
Shaughn Kelly helped the Rangers score for a fourth straight inning with his second home run of the game, this time a solo shot to give the Rangers a 10-1 lead.
Southern Nazarene was able to answer back with an RBI single scoring Entwistle for a 10-2 Ranger lead. The Crimson Storm continued their comeback attempt with three more runs in the following inning after pushing runners on the corners before an RBI groundout scored Edmonds. Wilson followed with the second RBI groundout of the inning. Northwestern led 10-4 after seven innings.
Southern Nazarene had a two out double come around to score on an RBI single by Embrey followed by an RBI double by Kinnaird for a 10-7 Ranger lead.
Northwestern worked around further damage before Cade Phelps closed out the game throwing a scoreless ninth inning for a 10-7 Ranger win.
Northwestern will close out the series on Saturday afternoon starting at Noon with the second game following around 3:00 PM in Bethany Oklahoma.
