WEATHERFORD, OKLAHOMA - Northwestern Oklahoma State Softball played a mid-week doubleheader against Southwestern Oklahoma State in Weatherford Tuesday afternoon. In game one, the Rangers used an eight-run sixth inning to steal a game one win 8-6. The Rangers turned around and won game two after a six-run fourth inning for the 10-4 victory.

Rangers now improve to 6-13 on the season with a 3-8 GAC record while Southwestern drops to 10-13 on the year with a 3-8 conference mark. 

GAME ONE:

Northwestern was led by Avery Clark with a hit and the team leader with a 3-RBI afternoon. Jadyn Muns finished with two hits and tied for the team high with Rosemary Rivera with two.

In the first inning, the Rangers and Bulldogs traded hits. Neither team was able to strike first as the Rangers left the bases loaded after a strike out and Southwestern left runners in scoring positions after a fielder's choice. 

The game was a pitcher's duel to start the game as it was 0-0 heading into the bottom of the fourth inning when the Bulldogs struck first. A solo home run to start the inning by Lusk pushed the home team out in front 1-0. After a double, a hitter later led to an RBI sacrifice fly by Nieuwenhu pushed the Bulldogs in front 2-0. 

Southwestern added in the fifth inning when a double and single put runners on the corners, leading to a 2-RBI single for McPillip,s taking a 4-0 lead over the Rangers in the fifth inning. 

The sixth inning is when the Rangers' bats struck as the Rangers loaded the bases, leading to an RBI singled by River, scoring Devynn Raile for the 4-1 deficit. Macy Spearman then drew a bases loaded walk to cut the deficit in half at 4-2. 

With the bases still loaded in the sixth inning, Jadyn Muns lined a double down the left field line to even the score at 4-4, with the 2-RBI double scoring Caine and Esterly. Avery Clark then followed with a three-run home run to center field, pushing the Rangers in front for the first lead of the game. The next batter, Kaitlyn Corn, hit a solo home run, going back to back with Clark for an eight-run inning and an 8-4 lead. 

Southwestern, in the seventh inning, pushed the game closer as a bases loaded two RBI double by McMahon cut the Ranger lead to 8-6, but a fly out to left field ended the game with the Rangers sealing the victory at 8-6 in the doubleheader opener. 

GAME TWO:

In the second game of the day, the Rangers were led by Rosemary Rivera with a 3-RBI game, followed by Rachel Sherwood with a three-hit game. Macy Spearman, Jadyn Muns, Avery Clark, and Sherwood all scored two runs. 

Madelyn Cason earned the win, as Chloe Brown closed out the save with three shutout innings. 

Both teams struck early, trading first inning runs as Avery Clark continued a strong afternoon with a solo home run to left field and the early 1-0 lead. Southwestern answered after a leadoff triple led to a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 1-1. 

The Rangers answered back in the second inning after putting the first two runners on base, leading to a Makanalei Lapera RBI single and the 2-1 Ranger lead. 

Cason retired the Bulldogs in the second inning in order before Southwestern took their first lead of the game in the third inning. After a leadoff single and a stolen base led to an RBI double by Barkley to tie the game at 2-2. Boline later hit an RBI single to take a 3-2 lead after three innings of play. 

The Rangers answered fast with a big fourth inning like in the first game, this time a six-run fourth inning. Northwestern regained the lead on a 2-RBI single by Muns for the 4-3 lead. This then led to a sacrifice fly by Corn for a 5-3 lead. With two runners on base, Rivera then cleared the bases with a three-run home run for the 8-3 lead in the fourth inning. 

Southwestern loaded the bases in the fifth inning with nobody out, but a double play was able to help the Rangers limit the run to only one. The Rangers held an 8-4 advantage after five innings. 

Northwestern extended the lead in the seventh inning when Corn hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Spearman and a 9-4 lead. Rachel Sherwood then doubled in Muns to take a 10-4 lead. 

Brown closed out the game in the seventh inning with a perfect inning to seal the 10-4 Ranger victory and earn her second save of the season. 

Northwestern returns to action on Friday and Saturday for a three-game series against Southern Arkansas with a doubleheader on Friday starting at 4:00 PM.

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