EDMOND, OKLAHOMA - Northwestern Oklahoma State faced No. 6 Central Oklahoma on Tuesday afternoon for a mid-week doubleheader. Central Oklahoma used a six-run inning after four scoreless innings to take game one 6-3. In the second game, UCO used two first-inning runs, taking their first lead before holding on for the 8-5 win over the Rangers.

GAME ONE:

Macy Sparman led the Rangers with a 2-RBI afternoon, Rosemary Rivera drove in one run on a solo home run, and Rachel Shwerwood led the team with two hits in the game.

The opening game of the day started in a pitcher's duel, as Rachel Sherwood had a single in the first inning which was the only hit into the third inning. Northwestern had a runner in scoring position in the third inning after a Kennedi Caine single before advancing to second. 

Neither team was able to score through the first three innings and Central Oklahoma did not get their first hit until the fourth inning on a Mitchell single but no damage was allowed as Northwestern was tied 0-0 through four innings. 

It was the fifth inning when the home team struck for six runs doing damage for the game's first runs. Started with a double to left center. This led to back to back RBI fielder's choices for the 2-0 Ranger deficit. Central Oklahoma then followed with an RBI single and an RBI double extended the lead to 4-0. The final two runs of the inning were scored on a double by Ritz for the 6-0 lead for Central Oklahoma. 

The score remained 6-0 into the seventh inning when Rosemary Rivera led the inning off with a home run to left field for the Rangers' first run. After a single and a walk this led to a Macy Spearman 2-RBI double to left center field cutting the Ranger deficit in half 6-3. 

Central Oklahoma worked around the three runs to stop the Ranger comeback attempt at a 6-3 final score in the opening game of the afternoon. 

GAME TWO:

The Rangers' offense was led by Rachel Sherwood, Avery Clark, and Kirby Van Haren, each with two hits. Van Haren drove in two runs for the Rangers, while Kennedi Caine, Kaitlyn Corn, and Madeline Pack all had one.

Central Oklahoma struck first in the opening inning after two straight singles to start the inning led to a 2-RBI single to right field scoring two runs and the early 2-0 lead for the home team.

The Rangers were able to strike back with one run as a Corn home run to left center field cut the deficit in half as the Rangers trailed 2-1. 

Central Oklahoma got the run back in the bottom of the second inning as a one-out single and a ground out led to an RBI single to center field after Anglen scored for the 3-1 lead. 

The home team added more in the third inning when Fithian doubled to left center field, scoring two runs and opening a 5-1 lead over the Rangers. Two hitters later a Ryan double to right field pushed across another run for the 6-1 lead over Northwestern.

Northwestern, getting back into the game, scored two in the fourth inning, after Avery Clark extended the inning with a two-out walk before Kirby Van Haren drilled a two-run home run as the Rangers trailed 6-3.

The score stayed this way into the sixth inning as a single by Clark and Van Haren put two runners on base before an RBI sacrifice bunt by Caine, which then led to an RBI single by Pack as the Rangers were back within one run. 

Central Oklahoma answered in their half of the inning with a 2-RBI single back up the middle as the Rangers trailed 8-5. 

Northwestern had the tying run at the plate after two singles, but Central Oklahoma worked around the jam to close out the 8-5 win over the Rangers.

Northwestern is back home on Friday and Saturday against Oklahoma Baptist for a three-game series. The series starts on Friday at 6:00 PM against the Bison.

For the latest news and updates on NWOSU Athletics, follow @NWOSUAthletics on TWITTER or visit www.riderangersride.com.