ALVA, OKLAHOMA - Northwestern Oklahoma State baseball hosted the mid-week game Tuesday afternoon against Oklahoma Panhandle State. The Rangers jumped out to an early 2-0 lead and scored in three straight innings taking a 9-0 lead before closing out the 12-2 win.
The Rangers improve to 14-10 on the season with a 5-7 conference record as Oklahoma Panhandle State falls to 9-17.
Kaden Spray led the pitching staff, throwing six innings striking out six allowing zero runs in his start earning his first win of the season.
Dylan Bradford led the team with a 3-RBI afternoon with two hits in the game. Gavin Mendoza reached base in all four plate appearances with two hits, two walks and three runs scored. Hagen Barcello finished with two hits tied for the team high.
The opening inning of the game both teams picked up hits as the Aggies left one on base while the Rangers stranded two. Northwestern's defense kept the game scoreless in the second inning after a two out double led to a single by Bradford threw out the runner Reiter at the plate keeping the game scoreless.
In the home half of the second inning the Rangers struck after a lead off walk to Mendoza, Chase Hamilton hit an RBI double to left field for the 1-0 lead. He was followed by a single back up the middle scoring Hamilton for the 2-0 second inning lead.
After a strikeout to end the top of the third in order the Rangers added to the lead. After a double and two walks loaded the bases, a RBI single by Mendoza scored Connor Green, followed by a Colby Grace fielder's choice as the Rangers had a 4-0 lead. The Rangers scored one more run in the inning on a wild pitch to score Chad Green.
Spray struck out two more in the fourth inning before the Rangers hit three more runs in. It was a Chad Green RBI single to left field scoring Connor Green to take a 6-0 lead. It was a batter later that Grace hit in three off an Aggies error as the Rangers lead stretched to 9-0 through four innings of play.
Oklahoma Panhandle State had an opportunity to get their first run in the sixth inning after a one out single led to a two out double to left field but Wright's throw to Hamilton led to Trevor Stiles making the tag at the plate to keep the game at 9-0.
The Aggies did get their first runs in the seventh inning after loading the bases an RBI single to right center gave the visitors their first run. Was followed by a single back up the middle as the lead was down to 9-2.
Gavin Mendoza led the home half of the seventh inning off with a triple to right field before a sacrifice fly scored Mendoza for the 10-2 Ranger lead. Stiles singled and stole a base before Dylan Bradford blasted a 2-run home run to right field to walk off the 12-2 seven inning win run ruling the Aggies.
Northwestern returns to play on Friday afternoon with a doubleheader to open a conference series with Southern Arkansas, with first pitch scheduled for 3:00 PM with second game to follow.
For the latest news and updates on NWOSU Athletics, follow @NWOSUAthletics on TWITTER or visit www.riderangersride.com.
