BRANSON, Mo. – The Northwestern Oklahoma State softball team went 1-1 on the first day of the Branson Lead Off Classic, defeating the University of Minnesota Crookston but falling in a tight battle to Newman University.

In the first game of the day, the Rangers and Golden Eagle offenses were stiffled in the first two innings as neither team could earn a run. This changed in the top of the third inning as the Rangers scored off of a walk after the basses were loaded. The Rangers got three straight outs in the bottom of the third inning.
Gabby Sanchez scored off of a Kate Bezdecik double, and the Rangers would go up 2-0 in the top of the fourth inning. Raelyn Sandlin scored on the ensuing pitch to add to the lead and make it 3-0. In the bottom of the fifth, after a double and triple, the Golden Eagles tacked on four runs to make it 6-4.
The Rangers tacked on two more runs to their lead, to take the first game.
Pitcher Katy Jones threw four strikeouts and allowed eight hits in the Rangers win. Kate Bezdicek and Raelyn Sandlin each led the team with two RBI's and they each had one hit.
 
In game two the Jets offense started off hot with two runs in the top of the first inning. The Ranger's responded with an RBI single by Kaitlyn Corn in the bottom of the first. Pitcher Kate Bezdicek led the charge for the Rangers defense by getting three straight outs in the top of the second inning. Abby Baglin tied the game up for the Rangers with an RBI single. Baglin would score later that inning after a ground out by Jamie Molina to give the Rangers the first lead of the game at 3-2.
The Jets offense caught fire again and added two runs to regain the lead in the top of the third. The Rangers responded once again with a run of their own after Kaylee Madden scored on a passed ball. The game was tied at 4-4 in the bottom of the third.
After another Jets run, the Rangers made a pitching change, and Chloe Brown entered the game. She threw three strikeouts, four hits and had zero earned runs.
The Rangers added a run in the bottom of the fifth, however they could not overcome Newman's offense as the Jets tacked on three more runs in the top of the sixth inning.