By MEGAN SPRAY
Game 1 against CCU
The Rangers opened the series with an 11-5 win in the season opener.
CCU was first to get on the board, taking a 1-0 lead in the second inning. The Rangers responded with Dabrowski and Gordon both getting on base by walks and Amari Goodfellow singled to tie the game at 1-1 to end the third inning.
The Cougars took the lead 2-1 in the bottom of the third. After a scoreless inning, the Rangers tied the game 2-2 in the fifth by a single from Gordon that sent Barton home. Colorado Christians offense stayed steady, taking the lead 5-2 in the bottom of the sixth.
The Rangers continued to answer the Cougars offense, scoring in both the seventh and eighth innings, tying the game at 5-5. Elias Herrera came into the game in the seventh, shutting down the Cougars at the plate.
Northwestern continued to rally with an RBI from Gordon and a strong hit from Amari Goodfellow to put the Rangers up 10-5. The final run from the Rangers was a hit by Jailon Goodfellow to send a runner home and secure the win, 11-5. Herrera finished the game with four strikeouts in his 3.2 innings pitched.
Game 2 against CCU
Northwestern dropped game one of the doubleheader 11-6 after multiple big innings. Dabrowski homered in the first inning to give the Rangers an early lead, but CCU responded with two runs in the bottom of the first.
The Rangers briefly regained the lead in the second following a single from Jailon Goodfellow with an advance to second on a wild pitch and an RBI double from Cole Barton. Gordon and Amari Goodfellow both walked, contributing to the lead.
The Cougars had no response in the second and third innings but scored four in the fourth inning and another four in the fifth, extending their lead 10-4.
Jailon Goodfellow scored two in the seventh with a double. The Rangers could not complete the comeback, losing 11-6.
Game 3 against CCU
Northwestern fell 8-5 in Saturdays second game despite an early offensive stride. Dabrowski singled and stole second to open the game. Amari and Jailon Goodfellow drove in runs to give the Rangers a 2-0 lead.
CCU answered with a three-run home run in the second inning and added runs in the third and fifth to pull ahead. Dabrowski homered in the seventh inning, but the Rangers were unable to complete the comeback.
Game 4 against CCU
Northwestern closed the series with a comeback win Sunday afternoon, defeating CCU 14-10 to split the four-game series.
The Rangers struck first with early pressure on the base paths. Dabrowski opened the game with a single and stolen base, while Chase Gordon drew a walk. Amari Goodfellow doubled to left center to drive in the game’s first run.
The Rangers continued to build momentum in the second inning, extending the lead to 4-0 from an RBI single from Goodfellow and Tyler Hogan.
Starting pitcher Trey Barkman executed quickly in his first two innings on the mound, striking out four. Northwestern added to the lead in the third inning with back-to-back homeruns from Matthew Bailey and Levi Joyce.
Colorado Christian responded with four runs in the fourth inning and adder four more in the fifth to erase the deficit and take an 8-7 lead. The Cougars extended the lead to 10-7 with a two-run homerun in the seventh inning.
The Rangers answered in the eighth with a grand slam to right field by Blake Mattern.
Northwestern entered Sunday looking to bounce back after dropping both games of the Saturday doubleheader.
vs Newman University
The Rangers lost to Newman, 8-5, in an extra inning.
Northwestern’s offense was the first to attack, 2-0, in the second inning by a double from Matthew Bailey and a single from Joel Lindahl to score baserunners. The Rangers tacked on two more runs in the third inning with offensive plays from Amari Goodfellow and Tyler Hogan.
Newman scored in the fourth and fifth innings, making the score 2-4. Northwestern answered in the fifth with a single from Cole Barton, including Alex Dabrowski and Goodfellow getting on base, extending the lead to 5-2.
The Jets responded, scoring in the sixth and seventh innings, tying the game at 5-5. The Rangers had opportunities to take the lead, but left runners stranded, unable to bring them home in both the eighth and ninth innings.
Newman took the lead in the tenth with a three-run inning, making the score 8-5. Northwestern was unable to respond in the bottom of the tenth, leaving the Jets to secure the win.