PIEDMONT, OKLAHOMA - Northwestern Oklahoma State closed out the series with Henderson State following a Saturday afternoon doubleheader. A six run third inning sparked the Rangers offense scoring in the final four at bats to win game one. Rangers completed the doubleheader sweep after winning game two of the day leading the whole way for the 4-3 win.
Northwestern improves to 8-5 on the season with a 2-1 conference record following the opening conference series win.
GAME ONE:
The Reddies struck first with an opening inning run as four of the first five batters reached safely all on singles or walks before the last one was an RBI single for an early 1-0 lead. The Rangers went in order in the home half of the first inning.
The game remained 1-0 into the bottom of the third inning when the offense struck for six runs in the inning. Two singles and a walk loaded the bases with nobody out before a Tatum Winters walk pushed across the run to tie the game. Hannah Howell followed with an RBI single to right field for a 2-1 lead. Rachel Sherwood followed with a triple to left field clearing the bases for a 5-1 lead over the Reddies. Avery Clark pushed across the last run on an RBI groundout for a 6-1 lead through the third inning.
Henderson State did not go away though as in the fourth inning the Reddies offense struck for five runs to tie the game back at 6-6. The inning started with a single and an error to put runners on the corners lead to an RBI single and 2-RBI double to tie the game at 6-6.
The Rangers wasted no time though, answering back in their half of the fourth inning with an RBI double by Tatum Winters to score Macy Spearman. Hannah Howell kept the rally going following with an RBI single to right field for the 8-6 lead over the Reddies through four innings.
Northwestern got one in the fifth on a Reddies error that allowed Clark to score, giving the Rangers a 9-6 lead, before in the sixth inning, a leadoff triple by Macy Spearman set up a sacrifice fly to right field for an RBI scoring Spearman and giving the Rangers a 10-6 lead. The Rangers then had first and second before an inning ending double play.
The Rangers closed out the win with a scoreless seventh inning for the 10-6 victory over the Reddies to even the series at one.
GAME TWO:
Northwestern struck first in the second game as Macy Spearman led off the Rangers inning with a double before scoring an error for an early 1-0 lead.
The game remained 1-0 into the bottom of the third inning when the Rangers extended the lead. Rangers pushed runners on second and third. The lead was extended to 3-0 following a Sherwood triple to right center field, scoring Spearman.
Henderson State answered back in the fourth inning after back to back walks, a ground out advanced both runners into scoring position before a 2-RBI single to right field cut into the Rangers lead at 3-2.
The Rangers looked to answer in the home half pushing a runner to third as Rivera advanced to third but was left on base.
Hannah Howell extended the Rangers lead in the fifth inning with two outs and she hit a home run to center field to take a 4-2 lead over the Reddies.
After a scoreless sixth inning, Henderson State put runners on first and second with nobody out before the Rangers were able to get the next three batters in a row out on a ground out, fly out, and ground out.
Northwestern closed out the series win for the first conference opening series win since the 2021 season beating Arkansas Monticello.
The Rangers will return to action on Friday March 1st against Oklahoma Baptist for a three game series against the Bison.
