ADA, OKLAHOMA - Northwestern Oklahoma State softball opened their weekend series against East Central with a doubleheader against the Tigers Friday afternoon. The Tigers took both games by a final score of 3-1.
Northwestern falls to 14-22 on the season while East Central moves to 17-20 following the two games Friday.Â
GAME ONE:
Northwestern struck early in game one as Hannah Howell hit a solo home run for the early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. However the Tigers answered back in the home half of the first inning.Â
A single and double with one out set up the big hit for the Tigers as Watson hit a three run home run scoring Muncy and Quintanil for the 3-1 lead over the Rangers.Â
The Rangers, looking to strike back and tie the game in the third inning had an opportunity after a Tatum Winters double followed by a Howell walk for first and second but a line out to left field kept the game at 3-1.
Tatum Winters had her second hit of the day in the sixth inning with a single but could not come around to score as the game remained 3-1 into the seventh inning.Â
Northwestern had a lead off single by Rachel Sherwood followed by a single from Avery Clark and Aveli Gonzalez setting up bases loaded but a strikeout by the Tigers closed and sealed the win over the Rangers in the series opener.Â
All four runs between the two teams came in the first inning as the Tigers won 3-1.Â
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GAME TWO:
In the first inning Rangers had a base runner on following a walk to Hannah Howell but East Central was able to escape with no damage done. Ireland Caro threw a perfect first inning to keep the game scoreless 0-0.
It was in the second inning when the Tigers offense was able to strike following a lead off home run by Watson for the 1-0 lead. After two singles the second run came across to score on a fielder's choice. The Tigers scored two runs on four hits in the inning for the 2-0 lead.Â
Northwestern had a scoring opportunity in the fourth inning after Laney Anderson doubled and Rachel Sherwood singled for first and third but back to back strikeouts for the Tigers kept the home team in the lead 2-0.Â
The Rangers scored one in the fifth inning after Avery Tittle singled and Rosemary Rivera walked, Tittle came around to score on a Tiger's error cutting the deficit in half at 2-1. Caro threw a scoreless fifth inning not allowing a hit keeping the game at 2-1.Â
Northwestern had two singles in the sixth looking to tie the game but both runners were left stranded as the Tigers kept the 2-1 lead. East Central though extended their lead in the bottom half of the inning on a solo home run for a 3-1 lead.
Northwestern pushed the tying run to the plate in the seventh after a single by Hannah Howell but the Tigers escaped, closing out the 3-1 win over the Rangers.Â
East Central and Northwestern will close out the three game series with a single game with first pitch scheduled for Noon Saturday.Â
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