ALVA, OKLAHOMA - Northwestern Oklahoma State closed out the three game set with East Central on Saturday afternoon. After the teams traded runs in the opening four innings a big fifth inning for the Tigers pulled the visitors out in front before closing out the 12-5 win over the Rangers.
Northwestern drops to 4-10 on the season with a 1-5 conference record while East Central improves to 11-6 on the season.
Kirby Van Haren led the Rangers in hits with three in the afternoon. Jadyn Muns, Rosemary Rivera, and Kaitlyn Corn all drove in runs in the game.
The game started as a pitcher's duel as each team was held scoreless through the opening two innings of play. East Central had a hit in the first inning but the Rangers escaped with no damage done.
In the second inning the Rangers had a chance to take the lead in the second inning after an error and single put two base runners on before a strike out ended the inning.
East Central struck first in the third inning as a single and a stolen base put a runner in scoring position to set up the first run scoring on a passed ball. After a walk set up a Watson single to center field for the 2-0 lead over the Rangers.
Northwestern's offense answered back though fast as a single to left by Muns started the rally setting up an RBI double by Avery Clark scoring Muns. Corn followed with an RBI single to right center to score Clark to tie the game at 2-2.
East Central struck in the fourth inning again after two straight singles with two outs set up the RBI single for a 3-2 lead over the Rangers. Two batters later Watson struck for a 2-RBI single by Cox and LeClair for a 5-2 lead over the Rangers.
Northwestern answered back again after a leadoff single followed by a double set up second and third. Lapera pushed across two runs reaching on an error scoring Rivera and Haren. Jadyn Muns singled to center field for the RBI scoring Lapera and a tie game at 5-5.
East Central for the third straight inning scored after back to back singles to start the inning led to 2-RBI double by Cox for the 7-5 lead over the Rangers. East Central continued with an RBI double, scoring Cox. Watson hit a 2-RBI single pushing their lead to 10-5. Roberts followed with an RBI single to center field, followed by a Feazle single to left field for the 12-5 lead.
Rangers looking to answer had a leadoff single but East Central worked around the single to keep the lead at 12-5 through five innings.
East Central closed out the victory over the Rangers by a 12-5 final after working around two base runners in the seventh inning.
Northwestern returns to action on Friday afternoon against Southeastern Oklahoma State as the Rangers travel to Durant for a three game series against the Savage Storm.
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