ALVA, OKLAHOMA - Northwestern Oklahoma State opened a three-game series with Ouachita Baptist on Thursday afternoon with a doubleheader. The two teams split the afternoon after the Tigers took game one. The Rangers used a seven-run fourth inning in the second game to take control and close out the win, splitting the series on the first day.

The Rangers are now 13-31 on the season with a 7-21 conference record. 

GAME ONE:

Makanalei Lapera led the Rangers with three hits in game one of the afternoon. Kaitlyn Corn had a hit, a run scored, and an RBI for the Rangers.

The first inning featured a lot of scoring as the Tigers struck early for three runs as a single led to two unearned runs scoring on a Ranger error for an early 2-0 deficit. Merrett followed with an RBI single for the early 3-0 lead.

Northwestern was able to answer back with two runs to cut into the deficit. The inning started with a Spearman walk, leading to an RBI double to right center, scoring Spearman, hit by Corn. Corn later scored in the inning on an RBI groundout by Jadyn Muns.

 In the second inning, the Tigers loaded the bases, but Chloe Brown escaped without allowing a run. The Rangers put two runners on base but were not able to score as both teams had runners in scoring position in the inning. 

A bases-loaded walk in the third inning pushed across the Tigers' fourth run for the 4-2 lead over the Rangers. The Tigers were able to extend the lead to 6-2 on an RBI single and a groundout heading into the seventh inning with that lead.

Ouachita Baptist scored three in the top of the seventh inning on a 2-RBI triple followed by a sacrifice fly before closing out the 9-2 win over the Ranges to start the series.

GAME TWO: 

In the second game of the series, the Rangers were led in hits by Jadyn Muns, Rachel Sherwood, and Avery Clark. Clark led the team with 4 RBIs in the win. Muns, Sherwood, and Kennedi Caine each had an RBI.

Kathryn Jones led the team, throwing a complete game for five innings, allowing one run. 

After a scoreless top of the first inning, the Rangers struck for two runs in the bottom of the inning after a Muns single led to a Rachel Sherwood RBI double, scoring Muns. Clark followed with an RBI single as the Rangers led early 2-0. 

Jones did not allow another hit until the fourth inning when the Tigers scored a run on a solo home run by Burrow for the 2-1 game as the Rangers held the one-run lead. 

The Rangers responded in a big way in the fourth inning, scoring seven runs in the inning to take control of game two. The first run of the inning scored on a Tigers error before an RBI double by Caine gave the Rangers the 4-1 lead. Spearman followed with an RBI double for back-to-back hits. Muns hit a sacrifice fly, before a single and a walk set up Avery Clark. Clark delivered with a 3-run home run to left field to give the Rangers a 9-1 lead in the fourth inning.

Ouachita Baptist pushed a runner on base after a hit by pitch, but back-to-back groundouts closed out the 9-1 victory over the Tigers to even the series. 

The rubber match of the series is scheduled for first pitch at 11:00 AM against the Tigers. The senior day ceremony will take place following the final out of the game. 


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