ALVA, OKLAHOMA - Southern Nazarene won the three game series over the Rangers after closing out a 5-1 victory in the first game followed by a 6-1 win in game two of the double header. The Crimson Storm jumped out first in both games picking up the victories.
GAME ONE:
Southern Nazarene jumped out early in the first inning with two runs first off a Ranger error before an RBI single allowed the second run to come across. Northwestern answered back in their half of the inning with one run on a Macy Spearman solo home run to leadoff the inning to cut the deficit to 2-1.
Both pitchers settled down in the second inning holding the game scoreless in the second to keep the game at 2-1 as Howell worked around two singles with one out. In the third inning both teams went down in order with three groundouts and two strikeouts.
The Crimson Storm extended their lead in the fourth inning after a leadoff double got things started. A singled pushed runners to first and third before a Ranger error allowed two runs to come around to score for a 4-1 Southern Nazarene lead.
Rangers had first and second in the fourth inning and were unable to come around to score as the Crimson Storm pitching worked around the jam.
Both teams worked around base runners in the fifth inning keeping the game at 4-1. It wasn't until the seventh inning when a run was scored again as the Crimson Storm extended their lead to 5-1 off a solo home run by Evans.
The Crimson Storm closed off the game two victory by a final score 5-1 as the Rangers side was retired.
GAME TWO
Leading on the mound for game two was Kameron Ryer, her first time starting this season. In the top of the first, there were two hits allowed to Southern Nazarene. Two plays were made in the outfield by Avery Tittle and one by Winters at third.
Action made on offense in the first was made by second batter Brooklyn LaChappa, reaching on a walk to first. Transition back to defense was jam-packed with 3 runs scored by SNU. Ryer pitched her first strikeout of the game the first batter of the inning. Southern Nazarene held a 3-0 advantage.
A single hit by Ashley Low out a runner on first, and Megan Kennedy had the opportunity for the first time this season to bat. On her first at-bat of the season she singled into left field. Tittle looking to load the bases, ball was caught by the wind allowing first base to secure third out leaving two on base at end of the inning.
Midway through Northwestern's third fielding possession Ireland Caro came in as a reliever for pitcher Ryer. With one out, the other two were completed on the ground from third and pitcher. SNU hit homer making the score 5-0.
Two hits were made by Crimson Storm heading into the fourth inning alongside several substitutions. With three runners on base, Caro pitched a strikeout and catch was made by Spearman in centerfield allowing no runs that possession.
Hit made by Ariana Potter started off the bottom of the fourth for Northwestern. Low lined ball into first, which led to both her and Potter out. Abby Johnson and Kennedy's second attempt to bat both resulted in an advancement to first off a walk, leaving two on base at end of the inning after ground out from second.
Sacrifice bunt made by Southern Nazarene was an out made by third baseman Johnson to Anderson at first. RBI hit made the score now 6-0. Right fielder Low caught ball earning their second out, and Kennedy at shortstop ended the top of fifth.
Bottom of the fifth ended in order three up, three down with no runs or hits made by Lady Rangers. This was repeated by Crimson Storm in top of sixth, getting first three batters out consecutively.
Northwestern's offensive possession in the sixth inning topped SNU's with two hits made by Anderson and Johnson. Two were left on base before entering the last inning of the game.
Defensive stance was made by Lady Rangers in final inning, not allowing any contact with the ball. One walk was pitched by Caro, but two outfield plays were made by Spearman and Tittle.
Shakyrah Gladness pinch hit for Tittle, and reached on a walk to first. She advanced to second on ground out hit by Spearman, and made it around to third on LaChappa's out hit. Howell hit RBI in right field sending Gladness home, and game ended with line drive to second, 6-1 at the end of the game.
Lady Rangers will be making a quick road trip to Weatherford during Spring Break, with a doubleheader against the Lady Bulldogs this Tuesday March 14th with first pitch at 1:00pm and second game at 3:00pm.
