PIEDMONT, OKLAHOMA - Northwestern Oklahoma State Softball opened a three game series Thursday afternoon against Southeastern. The Savage Storm took both games, as in game one used a six run second inning to jump out early on the Rangers before closing out the 8-3 win. In game two the Rangers scored first but six unanswered led to a 6-3 win for Southeastern.
GAME ONE:
Northwestern worked out of a first inning jam after two singles by Southeastern set up first and second but Hannah Howell was able to close out the inning without allowing a run.
The second inning is where Southeastern did their damage as two straight singles to start the inning pushed runners on the corners. That was followed by three straight singles to take a 3-0 lead over the Rangers. A Fryrear triple down the line pushed the deficit to 5-0 before Sands singled for the sixth run of the inning.
Northwestern got a run back in the bottom of the inning on an Avery Clark home run to right field as the Rangers trailed 6-1.
Rangers continued to climb closer after Spearman singled and a Winters double set up second and third. Howell singled back up the middle for a 2-run single scoring Spearman and Winters as the Rangers trailed 6-3.
The score remained 6-3 into the sixth inning when the Savage Storm extended their lead after two singles led to an RBI single by Garrison and a 7-3 lead for the Savage Storm. The Storm added one more in the 7th inning on a Rangers error to take an 8-3 lead.
Southeastern closed out the win over the Rangers 8-3 to take game one of the series.
GAME TWO:
Southeastern pushed a runner into scoring position in the top half of the first inning but Ireland Caro, the Rangers starting pitcher, worked around the jam to keep the game 0-0. The Rangers offense struck in the bottom of the first inning as Winters walked before being moved to second and scoring on a Laney Anderson RBI single for the early 1-0 lead.
The Rangers had a leadoff double by Macy Spearman in the second inning but Southeastern worked around the double to keep the game 1-0. Southeastern tied the game in the third inning as a double by Dutton led to a sacrifice fly by Ore to tie the game at 1-1.
Rangers put runners on the corner looking to answer back as a double by Tatum Winters and a single by Howell set up first and third. However Southeastern picked up a strikeout and a ground out to escape any damage. The fourth inning Southeastern took the lead after two straight singles and a sac bunt led to an RBI single for a 2-1 Storm lead.
Southeastern extended their lead to 3-1 after loading the bases with two hits and a hit batter. After a pop up Southeastern was able to extend the lead to 3-1 on a Ranger error.
The score remained 3-1 into the seventh inning after two Rangers errors led to a three run home run by Southeastern's Sarver to take a 6-1 lead over the Rangers.
Northwestern did not go away quietly as two singles to start the 7th inning lead to a Pack single into right field leading to a Storm error as Rachel Sherwood came around to score. Laney Anderson singled up the middle to cut the deficit to 6-3 scoring Ashely Low as the tying run came to the plate but Southeastern escaped further damage and held on to the 6-3 win over the Rangers.
Northwestern closes the three game series with the Savage Storm Friday afternoon with first pitch scheduled for Noon in Piedmont.
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