WEATHERFORD, Okla. – The Northwestern Oklahoma State baseball team defeated Southwestern, 9-1, on Friday.
The Rangers struck first in the top of the third, as
Alex Dabrowski got hit by a pitch and stole second base, while
Blake Mattern drew a walk.
Chase Gordon got on base via a fielder's choice, but Dabrowski raced home off an error to give Northwestern the early 1-0 advantage.
Joel Lindahl added on another run, as he sliced a single through the left side to extend the Ranger lead to 2-0.
Southwestern cut into the Ranger lead by plating a run in the bottom of the fourth, but the Rangers responded back in the sixth with a single up the middle from
Jason McCarty and a single to left field from
Brody Harris to bring the lead back to two runs, 3-1. Northwestern's bats stayed hot in the seventh, as Gordon started the inning with a leadoff single, while
Jailon Goodfellow grounded into a fielders' choice. Lindahl singled to center field to put Goodfellow in scoring position, with Barton brining him home on a sacrifice bunt to put the Rangers up 4-1.
Matthew Bailey and McCarty got on base with walks to load the bases, but the Rangers could not bring them home.
The ninth inning turned into an offensive explosion, as they scored five runs in the inning that started with Goodfellow reaching on an error, followed by singles from Lindahl and Bailey to score two runs. McCarty barreled a triple to right field to bring another run home, with Harris getting aboard from an error to tack on the fourth run of the inning. Dabrowski reached on another error, and Mattern ripped a single to center field to give Northwestern the 9-1 win.
Lindahl led the Rangers in hits with three, while Bailey and Harris led in RBI with two each.
Will Kates struck out four batters in six innings of work for his third win and his fifth quality start of the season.
The Rangers will wrap up the regular season tomorrow, as they finish the series with the Bulldogs in a doubleheader starting at noon.
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