ALVA, OKLAHOMA - Northwestern Oklahoma State baseball hosted #9 Southern Arkansas for a Friday afternoon doubleheader. The Rangers swept the two games, winning the first game 5-4 on a walk-off single by Bradey Bejarano. In game two the Rangers were tied before winning on an RBI double by Paul Sachen in the sixth to set up the win.
Collins struck out the side in the opening frame of the game getting the first two hitters of the inning down, striking and looking. The Mulriders hit a two out triple by Nicoll but Collins got Richardson swinging to end the inning. Northwestern jumped out early in their half of the inning as after a leadoff double by Bradey Bejarano, Paul Sachen hit an RBI single to right center field for the 1-0 Ranger lead.
In the second inning the Rangers continued to jump on the Mulerider pitching after a leadoff walk by Trevor Saire, Colby Grace later hit a 2-run home run extending the Rangers lead to 3-0 after two innings.
Collins was able to continue to find success through his part of the third inning picking up his fifth strikeout to start the inning before throwing a scoreless frame working around a single. After a leadoff runner reached in the top of the fourth inning a double play ground out helped get out of the inning.
Rangers further extended their lead in the fourth inning on a lead off home run by Trevor Saire to left field. Northwestern had one more runner off a walk but was left stranded on base.
The Mulerider offense struck in the fifth inning as a back to back double to start the top half of the inning cut the deficit to 4-1. The second run later scored on a fielder's choice hit to second base as the Ranger lead was cut in half 4-2. Max McClain entered the game working around a bases loaded situation holding the Ranger lead at 4-2.
Southern Arkansas put a runner in scoring position in the sixth inning after a hit batter and stolen base but McClain was to pick up two strikeouts and a ground out to escape with no damage done.
Cade Phelps entered the game in the seventh inning throwing a scoreless seventh and eighth without allowing a hit, striking out another in the 8th. In the ninth inning Southern Arkansas tied the ball game in the top of the ninth inning. Allen homered to start the inning to right center field. Back to back singles and a walk loaded the bases with one out. A hit batter tied the game at 4-4. Following that sequence Phelps got out of the inning picking up a strikeout and a flyout by McGinnis.
Rangers wasted no time answering back though in the inning. After the first two outs to start the inning. Colby Grace started the rally by drawing a two out walk before H. Shaffer legged out an infield single to set up first and second. Bradey Bejarano followed with an RBI single to left field, scoring Grace for the walk-off victory.
GAME TWO:
Southern Arkansas opened the game with a run in the top of the first inning after McGee drew a one out walk. After a fielder's choice and single put runners in scoring position a wild pitch allowed the game's first run to score as Southern Arkansas led 1-0.
After a scoreless second inning from Matthew Potts striking out one the Ranger offense answered back taking the lead in the bottom of the second inning. Brandon Holdren led the inning off with a walk. Trevor Saire followed with a double, setting up second and third nobody out. Gavin Mendoza followed with an RBI single back up the middle scoring Holdren and Saire for a 2-1 lead through two innings.
Southern Arkansas quickly got the run back on a solo home run to left center for a 2-2 game from Nicoll. Rangers threatened in the third inning putting three runners on base but back to back strikeouts kept the game tied 2-2 after three innings.
In the fourth inning with the game still tied 2-2, Harley Shaffer broke the tie with a solo home run to center field regaining the lead 3-2.
Southern Arkansas came back in the fifth inning as a leadoff single and a stolen base setup an RBI single to left field by Duke scoring Nicoll tying the game at 3-3 through the fifth inning.
Jacob Shaw came in to throw the sixth inning getting the first two batters out before a walk and a double put second and third. A strikeout ended the inning holding the 3-3 game. In the bottom of the sixth inning a one out single by H. Shaffer with one followed by a wild pitch putting him in scoring position. Paul Sachen then delivered an RBI double to left field, pushing the Rangers in front 4-3.
In the seventh inning Southern Arkansas had a leadoff single by Shaw before he settled in retiring the next three in order picking up two strikeouts including the final two batters of the game for the 4-3 victory.
Northwestern will return to action to close out the series against the Muleriders with a single game with first pitch starting at Noon. This is the first series victory over the Muleriders in program history following the two wins on Friday.
