ADA, Ok. - The Northwestern Oklahoma State Softball team ends their losing streak and split day one against the East Central University Tigers.
Northwestern seemed to have put an end to their hitting slump with a leadoff home run by senior Kaitlyn Corn. Delaynie Esterly also singled in the first inning but remained stranded on base. Northwestern took an early 1-0 lead after the top of the first.
Senior pitcher Chloe Brown started on the mound for the Rangers. She gave up a single but got the remaining batters out to keep the lead at one.
Both the Rangers and Tigers went three and out in the second inning.
Northwestern went three and out again at the plate in the top of the third inning. East Central singled three times in the bottom of the third, however the Rangers stoned them from scoring. Northwestern's lead remained at one.
Jamie Molina, Delaynie Esterly, Jazmine Mikel and Taygan Graham each singled in the top of the fourth. Northwestern could not drive them home, and the inning ended with bases loaded. East Central proceeded to go three and out in their following at bat.
Northwestern and East Central both went three and out in the fifth inning.
Raelyn Sandlin singled in the top of the sixth inning but was stranded on base to end the inning. The Tigers also singled in the bottom of the sixth inning but could not drive that run in. Northwestern's lead remained at one.
Gabrielle Sanchez added insurance for the Rangers with a leadoff home run in the top of the seventh inning.
East Central went three up- three down to end the game. Chloe Brown threw two strikeouts, allowed five hits and zero earned runs to get the win for Northwestern.
Kaylee Madden and Delaynie Esterly both singled in the first inning of Game 2, however they were left stranded on base. Junior pitcher Katy Jones started on the mound for the Rangers as Northwestern got three straight outs to start the bottom of the first inning.
Both the Rangers and Tigers went hitless in the second inning.
Kaylee Madden and Delaynie Esterly both singled again in the top of the third inning but were left stranded on base again. East Central earned the first run of the game with an RBI single in the bottom of the third.
Northwestern responded with two hits in the top of the fourth but were unable to bring any runs in. East Central added to their lead with a home run in the bottom of the fourth to go up 2-0.
The Rangers fought back with a Jamie Molina double in the top of the fifth. Northwestern scored a run after an error to cut the lead to 1.
The Rangers held the Tigers scoreless but also remained scoreless for the rest of the game. Northwestern dropped this game 2-1. Delaynie Esterly led the team with three hits and a double. Katy Jones threw three strikeouts.
