LAS VEGAS, NEW MEXICO - Northwestern Oklahoma State Baseball closed out their weekend series against New Mexico Highlands. The Cowboys used a five run second inning to take a 5-1 lead before closing out the 7-5 victory over the Rangers.
Northwestern after the loss falls to 7-2 on the season.
Hagen Barcello finished the game with three hits, two runs and a 2-RBI game, all team highs. Chad Green had two hits and an RBI in the game. Colby Mitchell, Kaleb Melvin and Dawson Toborg combined for four shutout innings.
In the opening inning Dylan Bradford led the game off with a single but was not able to scratch out a run. The Rangers opened the scoring with a solo home run to right center field by Colby Grace as the Rangers took the early 1-0 lead over the Cowboys.
New Mexico Highlands answered back in their half of the inning with a five spot. The Cowboys loaded the bases with two singles and a walk before an RBI single tied the game at 1-1. After a bases loaded walk pushed across the second run another RBI single had the home team in front 3-1. A hit batter forced in the fourth run followed by the Cowboys third RBI single of the inning this time from Galfano.
The third inning the Rangers were able to get one run back after a double from Hagen Barcello was followed by an RBI double from Chad Green as the Rangers trailed 5-2. The Cowboys had two base runners in the bottom of the inning but the Rangers worked around the jam keeping it a 5-2 game.
It stayed 5-2 into the bottom of the fourth inning after back to back two out singles led to a wild pitch pushing across the sixth run as the Rangers trailed 6-2. New Mexico Highlands then added a seventh run in the following inning on an RBI single as the Cowboys led 7-2 through five innings of play.
The seventh inning the Rangers started the comeback attempt as after a Bradford leadoff single, Hagen Barcello delivered a two run home run for the 7-4 game. Connor Green followed with back to back home runs as the Rangers trailed 7-5.
The game stayed 7-5 into the ninth inning when the Rangers had a leadoff double before a Chad Green walk put the tying run on base. However, New Mexico Highlands was able to escape any damage with a fielder's choice followed by a strikeout. This closed out the 7-5 victory over the Rangers snapping the four game winning streak.
Next for the Rangers is the conference opening series against Harding University starting with a Friday afternoon doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 PM.
