ALVA, OKLAHOMA - The Rangers opened a three game series against Southwestern Oklahoma State Saturday after celebrating eleven seniors before the game in the annual senior day game. Northwestern Oklahoma State split this final doubleheader of the season against Southwestern Oklahoma State Saturday following a 6-4 defeat before turning around and winning 3-1 in game two after a three run fourth inning help lead to the Rangers win.
GAME ONE:Â
Northwestern had an early 2-0 lead before Southwestern used a three run third inning to take their first lead of the game in which they would never let go of the lead.Â
Offensively the Rangers were led by Hagen Barcello with an RBI along with four hits in the loss. Paul Sachen and Brandon Holdren each picked up an RBI along with two hits each. Dylan Collins threw five innings before Max McClain threw the last four innings each having three strikeouts.Â
Northwestern jumped out fast in game one of the doubleheader with two quick runs in the bottom of the first inning. After Dylan Collins, the Rangers' starter got the Bulldogs in order, the Rangers leadoff hitter Bradey Bejarano reached on an error before stealing second. Paul Sachen followed with an RBI double and an RBI single by Barcello gave the Rangers a 2-0 lead.Â
The Bulldogs were able to answer back with one run in the second inning after Red walked later, scoring on a wild pitch to cut the Ranger lead down to 2-1. Southwestern later took the lead in the third inning for the first time of the game following a leadoff single and a two out walk led to a three run home run by Red. This gave the Bulldogs a 4-2 lead.Â
Northwestern tried to answer back after a one out double by Hagen Barcello and a walk had first and second but a fly out and a strikeout kept the game at 4-2 after three innings.Â
It was the fifth inning when the Bulldogs extended their lead in the top half of the inning when a one out single by Rice led to him stealing home on a double steal before a solo home run pushed the lead to 6-2 in the top of the inning.Â
The Rangers answered back with one run after two straight singles Brandon Holdren came up with a runner on first and second when an RBI single pushed the run home as the Rangers then trailed 6-3 after five innings.Â
Max McClain entered the game pitching his first of four scoreless innings for the Rangers retiring the side in order in the sixth inning. Rangers had a chance to score in the sixth inning when Kelly was hit by a pitch before a single by Shaffer pushed runners on first and second but a strike out and a ground out kept the game at 6-3.Â
The game remained 6-3 into the bottom of the ninth inning when the Rangers comeback attempt fell short. Joseph Frisby had a one out single before Hagen Barcello had his fourth hit of the day sending the tying run to the plate. Frisby scored on a passed ball making the game 6-4 with runners on second and third. A strikeout ended game one of the series with a final score of 6-4.Â
GAME TWO:Â
Southwestern jumped out early with a leadoff home run from Rice to start the game taking the early lead. Bulldogs put runners on first and second but DeHaas was able to escape further damage keeping the game at 1-0.Â
Rangers had a double from Paul Sachen and a single by Hagen Barcello put runners on first and second but a strike out and a fly out kept the game at 1-0 after one. In the second inning both teams had one base runner reach on a walk and single but no damage was allowed as the Rangers trailed 1-0 after two innings.Â
The score remained 1-0 until the fourth inning after a scoreless inning from Garrett DeHaas. Gavin Mendendoza led the inning off with a solo home run to right center field for a 1-1 ball game. Colby Grace went back to back with Mendoza sending the ball over the right field wall to take a 2-1 lead over the Bulldogs. Trevor Stiles and Harley Shaffer combined for two singles for four straight Ranger hits before an RBI fielder's choice by Thomas Beiswanger gave the Rangers a 3-1 lead.Â
Cade Phelps took over for the Rangers in the fifth inning, throwing a scoreless inning to start his outing before retiring six straight Bulldog hitters to get to the seventh inning. In the final inning Southwestern sent the tying run to the plate in the seventh inning.Â
Phelps retired the first two hitters of the inning. Jeffers kept the game going with a single back up the middle before a Marlow double to center made it second and third. Phelps got the final batter of the game to ground out clinching the Rangers 3-1 win.Â
Northwestern will go for the series win Sunday afternoon at 1:00 PM against the Bulldogs for the season finale this year.
