By CONNOR GRAY, Assistant Editor
The Northwestern softball team went to Russellville, Arkansas to play Arkansas Tech in a hard fought series.
Arkansas Tech swept the Lady Rangers in a close series. The Lady Ranger pitching staff tried to keep the Golden Suns at bay, but the offense struggled to knock in runs.
In game one, Hannah Howell pitched the entire time for the Lady Rangers, but she gave up three runs in the first two innings.
The Lady Rangers struck back in the third by scoring on a wild pitch, and Mackenzie Adams hit a sac fly to make it 3-2.
Howell blanked Arkansas Tech in next half of the inning, but gave up a three-run home run in the fourth, making it 6-2.
The Lady Rangers responded by getting two pairs of runs. The RBIs came from Morgan La Ne and Jaci Oakley each with two to make it 6-6.
“We battled back and forth,” head coach Ryan Wondrasek said. “We got down early, made a comeback to tie it, but got snake bit in the bottom of sixth.”
The Lady Rangers surrendered another three-run homer to lose, 9-6.
In game two, Hannah Scoggin pitched the entire game, but it was not enough for the Lady Rangers.
Scoggin gave up four runs, as the Golden Suns no hit the Lady Rangers in a shutout, 4-0.
The third game was similar, but the Lady Rangers were able to get some hits, but could not knock in any runs.
Howell took the mound again, and did not get the help she needed.
The Lady Rangers continued struggle at the plate, and could not knock in any runners. Howell did what she could, but give up five runs, including a solo and two-run home run.
The Rangers next opponent will be against Southern Arkansas, who is first in the conference.
The first two games of the home series will be a doubleheader on Friday at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. and the final game Saturday at 11 a.m.