ALVA, OKLAHOMA- Northwestern sealed the victory earning their first home win of the season against the Lady Tigers of East Central. This winning streak of two is continued from their road game this Sunday against Southeastern.
This win was possible from the extremely well batting performance made by the Rangers, earning eleven hits versus East Central's ten. Hannah Howell pitched a complete game today earning the win with a record 4-9. Each teams both had a singular error in today's matchup. Lady Tigers hit three homers while Northwestern still overcame with a total of four this game.
Howell pitched her first strikeout of the game early in the game striking out the two-hole hitter, but ECU earned their first home run of the game right after.
Northwestern's lineup answered back quickly to this run as Spearman got on base after a single hit into the left center gap. One out in, Hannah Howell earned the second hit of the game putting two on base for the Lady Rangers. Clean-up batter Anderson did her job and batted the first RBI of the game tying it up 1-1.
A quick second inning went in order for both teams. Two hits were made by the Lady Tigers, and with bases loaded, a defensive front stopped them from scoring thanks to a strikeout by Howell and groundout to Tatum Winters.
Spearman was up to bat for the bottom of third, hitting 2-2 down the left field line. Howell continued her batting dynamic as she hit a home run down the left line, putting the Rangers in the lead 3-1.
In the top of fourth was when Howell issued her first walk of the game but immediately struck out her next batter, allowing no runs or hits.
Mackenzie Adams opened the bottom of the fourth with a homer into left field. Two outs in, Jaci Oakley also hit a home run in the same spot as Adams, putting them up four against the Tigers 5-1.
Second run for East Central was scored in the fifth inning, and Northwestern answered back with a double play from right field to first base. Two advancements on base were made by Anderson off a walk and wild pitch.
Another double-play was made by our infield to secure a no-score inning, from second to first. The bottom half of the sixth inning was dominated by the Lady Rangers adding four runs to the scoreboard.
The first two runs were unearned off an error. Spearman batted a double RBI, yet advanced to third sending Oakley home. Avery Clark hit the final home run of the game made by Northwestern putting them up seven against ECU.
East Central attempted to fight back, putting two more runs on the scoreboard, but the Lady Rangers overcame and won the first game of the series 9-5. Howell finished off the complete game.
The series continues tomorrow in Alva, as the Rangers look to win the series with a doubleheader starting at 12:00pm.
