PIEDMONT, OKLAHOMA - Northwestern Oklahoma State Softball opened a three game series on Friday afternoon with a single game against Henderson State. The Reddies used a two run seventh inning to regain a lead over the Rangers and win 5-4.
The loss drops the Rangers to 6-5 on the season with an 0-1 conference record.
Game one of the series was all pitching to start before some late game scoring. The Reddies went down in order in the first before Macy Spearman singled to start the game for the Rangers but was left on base.
In the second the Rangers had a single and an error to set up first and second but left the runners on.
The game was still tied 0-0 into the fourth inning before the Reddies struck for three runs in the fourth inning. A leadoff trip set up the Reddies in business before an RBI double scored the game's first run. A Williams double and Burch single setup 3-0 lead for Henderson State.
The Rangers looked for a response in the fifth after a double from Tatum Winters but she was left on base as the Rangers were left scoreless.
It was the sixth inning when the Rangers struck for a big inning to steal the lead from the Reddies for the first time in the game. A Rivera single followed by Sanchez and Alexander reaching safely set bases loaded. After the Rangers got one back on a Henderson State error. Tatum Winters delivered her second extra base hit of the game this time a 3-RBI triple to take a 4-3 lead.
In the seventh inning the Rangers picked up two outs with a runner on first before Jackson hit a double to right field to tie the game before an RBI single set home the game's winning run. The Rangers went down in order in the seventh inning as Henderson State held on for the 5-4 win.
The Rangers close out the series with a doubleheader starting at Noon on Saturday with the second game to shortly follow after the last pitch of game one.
