ALVA, OKLAHOMA - Northwestern Oklahoma State opened a three game series against Arkansas Tech Friday evening with a walk-off comeback victory over the Wonder Boys. The Rangers had an RBI single by Carson Wright to win the game in the ninth inning as the Rangers won the series opener 3-2.
The win improves the Rangers record to 17-8 on the season with a 9-4 Great American Conference record following the victory. Northwestern is also now 14-3 at home.
Northwestern's offense led by Carson Wright with three hits and 2-RBIs along with two stolen bases in the win. Dylan Bradford and Colby Grace had the two other Ranger hits. Garrett DeHaas threw five innings before being relieved by Dawson Toborg and Jacob Shaw as Shaw earned his fourth win of the season.
Arkansas looked to strike first with two runners on in the first inning after a walk and a single by DeHaas worked around the jam holding the game scoreless. Both starting pitchers came out strong in the series opener as DeHaas allowed two hits through the first four innings while giving up zero runs.
On the other side Gray for Arkansas Tech threw five scoreless innings and did not allow his first hit until the fourth inning. Northwestern and Arkansas Tech both had help from in the field as in the fifth inning after an RBI single giving the visitors a 1-0 lead, Paul Sachen the Rangers right fielder threw out the runner on third on the fly out to keep the game at 1-0 through the fifth inning.
Arkansas Tech did the same to the Rangers in the fourth inning after Wright had a single and a stolen base that led to a fly out to center field as Wright was thrown out at the plate.
Northwestern was able to score in the sixth inning as after a two out Dylan Bradford single, Wright followed with a double down the left field line scoring Bradford and tying the game at one.
With the score still even at 1-1 both teams traded runs in the seventh inning as a walk and a single led to an RBI single into right field and a 2-1 Arkansas Tech lead. However Northwestern answered quickly in their half of the inning as Sachen led off with a walk leading to an RBI double by Colby Grace to even the score at 2-2 after the seventh inning.
Jacob Shaw threw a scoreless ninth inning which led to the Rangers walk off in the ninth inning. Grace and Bradey Bejarano reached base safely leading to runners on before a Bradford walk loaded the bases. Carson Wright followed with the game winning hit on an RBI single to the left side as Grace scored the games winning run for the 3-2 victory.
Northwestern takes the series opener and will close out the three game set with Arkansas Tech Saturday afternoon as the Rangers have a doubleheader starting at 1:00 PM.
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