HAYS, KANSAS - Northwestern Oklahoma State went on the road Monday afternoon for a non-conference doubleheader against Fort Hays State. The Rangers completed the sweep over the Tigers taking both games in Hays, Kansas.
In game one the Ranger came from behind in the seventh inning trailing 2-0 before sending the game to extra innings and later sealing the 3-2 win. As for game two Northwestern used a three run fourth inning to take the lead and hold on for a 6-2 win to complete the Monday sweep.Â
GAME ONE :Â
The Ranger offense was led by Hannah Howell, Lindsey McElroy, and Avery Clark each with a hit and an RBI in the win.Howell pitched the first six innings before Ireland Caro closed the game, throwing the final two.Â
In the opening game of the afternoon Rangers had an opportunity to jump out in front early after Abby DeTar had a two out single followed by a Hannah Howell walk for first and second, but Egger the Tiger pitcher got out of the jam holding the score 0-0.Â
Rangers for the second straight inning had a runner reach scoring position after McElroy walked and advanced on a wild pitch but a flyout closed the inning. Howell struckout the first two batters of the second inning as she retired the first six straight she faced.Â
Fort Hays pitching worked around a leadoff double by Macy Spearman. The Tigers had their first hit of the game later having first and second after their second single of the inning but retired the side with no damage allowed.Â
After the Rangers went down in order, For Hays jumped on the board following a leadoff double and a sacrifice fly advanced Beggs to third before a single drove her in for a 1-0 Tiger lead. The Tigers pushed their lead to 2-0 after a walk and a Pierce double to close out the 5th inning.Â
The Rangers did their damage late in the game following a leadoff single by Jaci Oakley, Lindsey McElroy tripled to right center as the Rangers then trailed 2-1. Avery Clark later ripped a one out double, scoring McElroy to tie the game at 2-2.Â
Ireland Caro came in to throw seventh throwing a scoreless inning to hold the tie game sending it into extra innings.Â
Madeline Pack started the inning on second for the extra innings and scored on a Hannah Howell RBI double to left center giving the Rangers a 3-2 lead. The Tigers had first and third trying to at least tie the game but Caro worked out of the jam sealing the victory for the Rangers.Â
GAME TWO:
Brooklyn LaChappa and Hannah Howell led the team with two hits each in game two. Abby Johnson and Laney Anderson had 2-RBIs to lead the Rangers.
 Ireland Caro received the ball to start game two in what began another pitcher's duel between these two teams as she finished with a complete game and picked up her second win of the day.Â
Rangers had the first baserunner after Abby DeTar drew a walk in the first inning but would be left on base. Caro retired the Tigers in order.Â
Game was still 0-0 in the third inning when the Rangers pushed runners on first and third following back to back singles by Macy Spearman and Brooklyn LaChappa, but the Tiger defense stepped up getting out of the inning with a line drive double play.Â
Northwestern's offense struck in the fourth inning following a leadoff triple by Hannah Howell before Oakley hit an RBI fielder's choice for a 1-0 lead. The inning did not end though as McElroy followed with a single as Abby Johnson came through with a 2-RBI single to center field for a 3-0 Ranger lead.Â
After Caro again held the Tigers scoreless in the fourth, Northwestern added a fourth run as Brooklyn LaChappa singled to start the inning before coming around to score on a wild pitch.Â
The Tigers had their first run in the fifth inning after two singles and a hit batter led to an RBI single by Tiffany for a 4-1 Ranger lead through five innings. Fort Hays scored a second run in the sixth inning following a fielder's choice as the Rangers continued to lead 4-2 through six innings.Â
Northwestern extended the lead in the seventh after two straight outs DeTar kept the inning going with a walk before Howell singled. Laney Anderson followed with a 2-RBI double to right center and a 6-2 Ranger lead.Â
Fort Hays had an opportunity to score in the seventh, loading the bases with one out before Caro got Pierce to ground into a game-ending double play to seal the win. Rangers completed the sweep with a 6-2 victory.Â
Northwestern will play their first home series of the season this weekend hosting Southern Nazarene for their first home games since February 7th. First pitch is at 4:00 PM on Friday before a doubleheader Saturday.
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