MAGNOLIA, ARKANSAS - Northwestern Oklahoma State Rangers dropped the Saturday afternoon doubleheader to Southern Arkansas. After scoring the game's first run the Muleriders climbed back to take a 3-1 lead eventually winning by the score. In game two the Muleriders jumped out to a 2-0 lead before closing out the sweep over the Rangers.
GAME ONE:
In the opening game each team's pitching started strong. Rangers were retired in order before Southern Arkansas was able to get a couple baserunners but Northwestern escaped any damage holding the game at 0-0 working around a bases loaded situation.
The Rangers had their first hit in the third inning when Jaci Oakley had a single into right field but two straight strikeouts and caught stealing at second ended the inning.
After Howell retired the Muleriders in order she helped herself in the top of the inning. Macy Spearman started the inning with a single to right field. McElroy came in for Spearman to run before a sacrifice fly to center field scored Spearman giving the Rangers a 1-0 lead.
Howell retired the side in order once again in the fourth before Southern Arkansas was able to tie the game in the bottom of the fifth inning on a solo home run hit by Hamilton for a 1-1 game through five innings.
Southern Arkansas struck and took the lead again in the sixth inning after a leadoff walk followed by a single, setting the first RBI up on an RBI single by Storey for a 2-1 lead. She was followed with a sacrifice fly by King to extend the Mulerider lead to 3-1.
The Rangers put the tying run on base as Laney Anderson hit a single down the right field line but back to back strike outs held the game at 3-1 in favor of Southern Arkansas taking the first game.
GAME TWO:
Rangers had a hit in the first inning with a one out single by Abby DeTar but the inning ended following a double play by the Muleriders. Southern Arkansas started strong in their half of the first inning with a single before a fielding error set up a two run double by Southern Arkansas taking an early 2-0 lead after the first inning.
The Rangers went in order in the second inning before holding the Muleriders scoreless in their half of the inning. In the third inning Southern Arkansas was able to further extend thier lead after a leadoff single and stolen base by Rolle set up a sacrifice fly to left field for a 3-0 Southern Arkansas lead.
The Rangers had a baserunner in the fourth inning as DeTar had her second single of the afternoon but after back to back fly outs the Rangers remained scoreless through four innings. The Muleriders loaded the bases in the fourth inning with nobody out but Hufford was able to escape the inning with no damage done. She got Miller to line out before a double play ended the inning still 3-0.
Jaci Oakley singled in the fifth inning but another double play by Southern Arkansas helped hold the Rangers scoreless. In the sixth inning the Rangers were retired in order. In the bottom half of the sixth inning Southern Arkansas pushed a few base runners to board having first and second but Ireland Caro was able to escape with no damage done.
In the seventh and final inning Southern Arkansas was able to get the Rangers in order 1-2-3 to end the game and hold on for the 3-0 victory over the Rangers to sweep the doubleheader.
The two teams will close out the series with a single game Sunday with first pitch scheduled for Noon.
